Super Search
 

Question from E.

Hi Debra, What are your thoughts on flame retardants in natural insulation? I’m trying to fill cracks around a doorway inside my house with a natural type of batting but I’ve noticed all the natural options (sheep’s wool, denim/cotton insulation) are treated with boron/boric acid. I’m confused because I’ve read flame retardants should be avoided at all costs but all these suppliers are stating this is a non-toxic product that you don’t need a dust mask or eye protection for. I thought breathing this stuff in was a no-no – why would I want it in my house? I don’t know what material I can use because it seems everything is treated with flame retardants.

Debra’s Answer

Well, they are incorrect.

For many years boric acid was used on natural fiber mattresses because it was thought to be nontoxic, but there is evidence now that it has health effects of concern.

It is known that boric acid is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled in large quantities. The Thirteenth Edition of the Merck Index says that hat 5 to 20 g/kg has produced death in adult humans. A kilogram (kg) is about 2.2 pounds. So you would have to ingest about 10 to 40 grams of boric acid for it to be fatal. A gram is about one thousandth of a kilogram, so 10 grams would be about .35274 ounces or about 2 teaspoons. So two to eight teaspoons would be fatal, if you opened a container of boric acid and ingested it.

But there is also concern about long term exposure. Repeated day-in and day-out, or in this case night-in and night-out exposure can cause kidney damage and eventually kidney failure.

Long term exposure to boric acid may be of more concern, causing kidney damage and eventually kidney failure.

In Europe, there is a list of chemicals called Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals Regulations (REACH). As of 2010, the classification of Boric Acid CAS 10043-35-3 / 11113-50-1 is H360FD (May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.)

Add Comment

ARE TOXIC PRODUCTS HIDDEN IN YOUR HOME?

Toxic Products Don’t Always Have Warning Labels. Find Out About 3 Hidden Toxic Products That You Can Remove From Your Home Right Now.