Introduction

• Cause: ingestion of commercial insecticides often used in homes.
• Formulated as tablets and powder to kill larvae in livestock confinement areas and cockroaches in residences.
• Signs: borax dust is moderately irritating to skin. Inhaled dust causes respiratory tract irritation, cough and dyspnea.
• In human:s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, skin, vascular system.
• Diagnosis: history, clinical signs.
• Treatment: emesis, gastric lavage, intravenous fluids, correcting metabolic acidosis.
• Prognosis: usually good.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Fungicide used in forestry work.
• Single or repeated exposure to disinfectant/antiseptic.
• Iatrogenic lavage of serous cavities, enemas, or application to serous skin.

Pathophysiology

• Borates rapidly absorbed by gut and by abraded or burned skin.
• They are efficiently excreted by the kidney.
• May persist in soil for long periods.

• 40-60% excreted within 24 hours.
• Repeated exposure may → accumulation.
• LD50 2-5 g/kg.
• Toxic dose 2-3 g/kg.
• Rapidly absorbed GI tract.
• Toxic to kidneys/CNS.

Timecourse

• Signs usually appear acutely after large dose.
• Death may occur <5 days after fatal dose.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes