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be careful about description of borax and other borates



Borax is sodium tetraborate. It is most commonly available in
decahydrate form.

The sodium salt of boric acid is called sodium metaborate.

Borax, once dissolved in water, is equivalent to a equimolar
mixture of boric acid and sodium metaborate dissolved in water.

All these borates have mild plant toxicity and are not very
desirable to discharge to the environment, especially in
sensitive areas. Borates are not removed by usual water
treatment, and they are not decomposed by usual bacteria. So
about the only way to reduce the harm is massive
dilution. (Same goes to EDTA, DTPA, NTA, etc.)

--
Ryuji Suzuki
http://silvergrain.org