borax safety limits raised (2004)

[Guest guest]

While perusing the web looking for borax info I found this press

release from the Rio Tinto Borax company, which has apparently got a

good environmental track record for its mining operations.

I'm not sure how this level in milligrams relates to the dosage

someone mentioned of 1/8 teaspoon in a quart of water over the course

of a day, but just fyi:

For Immediate Release

August 5, 2004 Keefe

661/287-5484

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RAISES SAFETY LIMITS FOR BORON

CONSUMPTION

Review of 200 Studies Results in Increasing Levels Considered Safe for

People

VALENCIA - The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA)

today announced its finding that people can safely consume more than

twice the amount of boron previously considered harmless. Boron is a

nutritionally important element that is present in all food in trace

amounts. NCEA is the division of the Environmental Protection Agency

charged with assessing health risks associated with substances found

in the environment.

NCEA increased its allowable daily dose of boron from 6.3 milligrams

to 14 milligrams per day. Boron is an essential micronutrient for

plants and most people eat between one and three milligrams every day

as part of a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals and

nuts. The revision was the result of a multi-year assessment of more

than 200 studies on boron's health effects, some of which were

completed recently by scientists at the University of California,

Irvine, and the Research Triangle Institute.

" We applaud the NCEA for advancing the world's scientific

understanding of boron's health effects, " said Goldberg, Chief

Executive of Rio Tinto Borax. " As world leaders in boron science and

supply, our research points to the same conclusion: the more we know

about boron, the more comfortable we are that boron is safe for people

and the planet. "

NCEA conducted its risk assessment on boron to update the EPA's

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), a database of human health

effects associated with exposure to more than 500 substances found in

the environment. IRIS is widely considered one of the world's most

robust databases in this field.

NCEA also reduced its uncertainty factor for boron from the default

level of 100 to 66 - a precedent-setting policy change. Uncertainty

factors are mathematical formulas applied to data which are used to

protect populations from hazards that cannot be assessed with high

precision. NCEA's decision to assign a lower uncertainty factor to

boron reflects the availability of new and more reliable research.

" This scientific breakthrough bodes well for farmers who rely on boron

fertilizers as essential crop nutrients, and for manufacturers who

rely on boron-based products as essential ingredients in fiberglass,

glass, ceramics, detergents, flame retardants and wood preservatives:

the building blocks of an acceptable standard of living, " said Mr.

Goldberg.

" NCEA has set a new upper limit for boron consumption. This

accomplishment brings us to the next horizon in boron science: to

determine the lower limit, or how much boron is essential to human

health. " said Mr. Goldberg.

About Borax

Borax supplies nearly half the global demand for borates - boron-based

products that are essential nutrients for plants, part of a healthy

human diet, and key ingredients in fiberglass, ceramics, detergents,

fertilizers and wood preservatives. The company employs nearly 1,450

people worldwide, and ships its products to customers in nearly 100

countries. Borax is also an industry leader in measuring and improving

how its practices and products contribute to sustainable development.

For more, visit www.borax.com.

About NCEA

EPA's Office of Research and Development conducts research to help

ensure that efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the

best available scientific information. The National Center for

Environmental Assessment (NCEA), a major component of ORD, is EPA's

national resource center for human health and ecological risk

assessment. NCEA conducts risk assessments, carries out research to

improve the state-of-the-science of risk assessment, and provides

guidance and support to risk assessors.

NCEA occupies a critical position in ORD between (1) researchers in

other ORD components generating new findings and data and (2)

regulators in the EPA program offices and regions who must make

regulatory, enforcement, and remedial action decisions. As a result,

NCEA plays an important role as a consultant to EPA programs and

regions on the use of science in environmental decision making and

also influences the direction of environmental research.

http://www.borax.com/news38.html

Rio Tinto Borax

Rio Tinto Borax operates California’s largest open pit mine in Boron,

California - one of the richest borate deposits on the planet. The

company supplies nearly half the world’s demand for refined borates,

minerals essential to life and modern living.

Borax traces its roots to California’s Death Valley, where borate

deposits were discovered in 1872. The twenty mule teams Borax used to

haul ore out of the remote desert live on as a symbol of the company’s

commitment to innovation.

Today, Borax is acknowledged as the world leader in borate technology,

research and development. Technical support for customers, product

quality, and supply reliability are the pillars of our commercial

commitment. We are also committed to ensuring that our practices and

products are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

Borax is a member of the Rio Tinto group.

Boron Operations

Chosen as one of the Nation’s Safest Mines

Borax is first mining company honored by Governor Schwarzenegger for

Environmental & Economic Leadership Award

EPA study shows people can safely consume more than twice the amount

of boron previously considered harmless

200+ health studies assessed

Safety Award from US Government

Borax named safest mining operation

http://www.borax.com/