LIVOS wall paints - Uncertainty because of an “ÖKO-TEST“ evaluation?

Why to use Borax / boric acid?

Borax is used for adjusting and maintaining a defined pH-value and as an emulsifying agent.

LIVOS has chosen to apply borax and boric acid because it is used in the construction industry for more than 60 years now and holds a low health risk when used properly. Borax and boric acid are also used for the preservation of caviar. Boron compounds also exist in the nature and are absorbed through food and drinking water.

According to GHS regulation, up to a concentration of 4.5 / 5.5% of free boric acid the status of reproductive toxicity is not met and therefore does not need to be marked.

LIVOS uses the lowest required concentration of boric acid / borax.

In our DUBRON Dispersion Paints the concentration is 1.93%, therefore considerably lower than the concentration of 5.5%.

Are there any risks resulting from borax and boric acid in wall paints?

Animal studies have classified Borax (CAS-No.: 1303-96-4) and Boric acid (CAS No.: 10043-35-3) as toxic to reproduction. In a report of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2010, the NOEL value (No Observed Adverse Effect Level – amount at which no adverse effect is observed) for the fertility of male and female animals has been defined as 9,6 mg boron per kg per day.

There are no such reports for human beings. The animal studies suggest that the consumption of about 2 teaspoons of borax per day (approximately 70 kg body weight) does not decrease the fertility of humans.

It should be noted that the classification has been made in particular on the basis of oral ingestion.

"Boric acid is practically not absorbed through intact skin.“ – This statement was made by the Committee on Hazardous Substances AGS in its explanatory memorandum on boric acid and sodium borates in the TRGS 900. Also the Federal Institute for Risk Research wrote in 2005 that the absorption through the intact skin in different preparations is negligible.

Borax and boric acid are water-soluble minerals. They have practically no vapor pressure, that means, they do not merge into the air and therefore will not be inhaled.

DUBRON Emulsion Paint is liquid and is applied to the wall with a brush or a roller. This leads at the utmost to skin contact, which means no significant absorption of boron compounds as described above. Health-relevant values are not reached.