Human disodium octaborate tetrahydrate exposure following carpet flea treatment is not associated with significant...

Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate is used for indoor flea control on carpets and furniture. Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate was applied to a 100% nylon carpet as a solution using a powered rug brush at a rate of approximately 200 micrograms/cm2 carpet. Two randomly chosen groups of volunteers (18 females, 4 males) wore either bathing suits which provided 75% or more skin exposure or whole-body, cotton dosimeters consisting of socks, union suits, and gloves. The volunteers performed a 20-minute set of Jazzercise routines. The availability of boron was demonstrated by covering portions of the carpet with a cotton dosimeter and rolling it with a weighted roller. Additionally, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate was transferred to the whole-body dosimeter. Volunteers also collected 24-hour urine specimens prior to and following the exercise period. The specimens were analyzed for total boron by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. No evidence of contact transfer and dermal absorption was obtained. The mean daily boron levels (mg/g creatinine) were 1.17, 1.33, and 1.31 for the group with exposed skin and 1.26, 1.12, and 1.26 for those who wore dosimeters which prevented contact. Daily urine boron levels were not significantly different when compared using a two sample t-test assuming equal variances (P > 0.05). Direct dermal contact with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate-treated carpet at a nominal rate of 200 micrograms/cm2 did not produce any adverse effects or change urinary boron clearance.