Perborate

Abstract

Sodium perborate is used as a bleach in domestic and industrial cleaning products and is released into the environment during manufacture and end use. This chapter assesses the environmental implications of such releases. The chemical and physical properties that make perborates suitable compounds for use as bleaches are first summarised; this is followed by a description of how perborates are manufactured and a discussion of the present and future market for this product. The environmental implications of perborate manufacture and end use are then assessed by examining the manner and form in which perborate is released into the environment, and by reviewing the evidence for boron toxicity to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and its effects on human health. The safety of perborate release to the environment is assessed by comparing criticallevels that have been identified for boron toxicity with environmental concentrations of boron that have been observed. Present regulations that apply to perborate in this context are also discussed.