Boric Acid

Boric acid is a weak, monobasic Lewis acid widely used in industrial, medical, and household applications. It occurs naturally as the mineral sassolite and is valued for its antiseptic, insecticidal, and flame-retardant properties.

### **Properties**
– Weak acid with mild antiseptic action
– Soluble in water and alcohol
– Stable under normal conditions but decomposes at high temperatures

### **Applications**
1. **Industrial**:
– Flame retardant in textiles and wood products
– Glass and ceramic manufacturing
– Metallurgy (flux agent)

2. **Medical & Personal Care**:
– Eye wash solutions (as a mild antiseptic)
– Preservative in cosmetics

3. **Household & Agriculture**:
– Insecticide (cockroach and ant control)
– pH buffer in swimming pools

### **Effects**
– **Antiseptic**: Prevents bacterial and fungal growth
– **Flame Retardant**: Reduces flammability of materials
– **Insecticide**: Effective against pests while low in toxicity to humans