Human toxicology of boron with special reference to boric acid poisoning

The improper use of boric acid containing antiseptics is still one of the most common causes of toxic accidents in newborns and infants. Health hazards may also arise from inadvertent absorption of insecticides and household products containing borates as well as from occupational accidents related to production and use of boranes. A variety of boronated agents with hypolipidemic, antiinflammatory or anticancer properties have been developed in recent years. Unfortunately, most of these compounds were found to be highly toxic when tested at the required therapeutic dosages in animals. In this paper, recent information on human toxicology of boron is reviewed, with special emphasis on epidemiological and clinical aspects of boric acid poisoning.