Effects of Borax on Cultured Lymphocytes

The effect of borax on human chromosomes was analyzed in this study. Venous blood from 30 male students at Thammasat University, Thailand (age 18-25 years) was collected for lymphocyte cell cultures. This experiment was divided into two groups: the first group was the control group and the second group was the experimental group. The lymphocyte cells in the control group were cultured without borax. The experimental group was divided into four subgroups. The lymphocyte cells in each experimental subgroup were cultured with different concentrations of borax (0.1 mg/ml, 0.15 mg/ml, 0.2 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml). Human chromosomes were studied for abnormalities through Giemsa-staining and G-banding. The results show that the numbers of metaphase plates (the metaphase plate which contained 46 chromosomes; 46, XY) and metaphase chromosomes were reduced when lymphocyte cells were cultured with 0.15 mg/ml (57.2%), 0.2 mg/ml (50.8%) and 0.3 mg/ml (42.3%) concentrations of borax. There was a statistically significant difference between the control and experimental subgroups (p<0.05). Sister chromatid separation was found in the 0.3 mg/ml borax concentration experimental subgroup. This shows that borax (at 0.15, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/ml concentrations) affects the cell and human chromosomes (both numerical and structural abnormalities). Borax may cause human chromosome abnormalities and lead to genetic defects. borax contains chains of interlocking BO2(OH) triangles and BO3(OH) tetrahedrons bonded to chains of sodium and water octahedrons. It is a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolves easily in water. Borax is used in detergents and cosmetics, as an ingredient in enamel glazes, glass and ceramics, as an insecticide to kill ants and fleas and as a precursor for sodium perborate monohydrate used in detergents. Borax is widely used in manufacturing, fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals (NCAMP, 2001). Borax can be produced synthetically from other boron compounds. Borax is used as a food additive in some countries with an E number of E285. Its use is similar to salt, and it appears notaINTRODUCTION Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or improve its taste and appearance. Borax is a substance used in food preparation as a firming agent, meat rub and tenderizer. Borax (Na2B4O2.(H2O)10) is a borate compound. It is a low toxicity mineral with insecticidal, fungicidal and herbicidal properties. The basic structure of SOUTHEAST ASIAN J TROP MED PUBLIC HEALTH 412 Vol 40 No. 2 March 2009 bly in French and Iranian caviar. The symptoms of borax toxicity include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and erythematous eyes. Symptoms appear 2 to 4 hours after ingesting borax. Borax is slowly excreted by the kidney. Nephrotoxicity is the most common organotoxicity, followed by fatty liver degeneration, cerebral edema and gastroenteritis (Weir and Fisher, 1972). There have been many studies regarding the toxicity of borax (Landolph, 1985; Sylvain et al, 1998; Wester et al, 1998). In reproductive and developmental toxicity studies using rats, mice and rabbits, there were maternal hepatic and renal effects, decreased weight gain during pregnancy, and decreased fetal body weights. Borax has toxicity to humans, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity (Moseman, 1994). Borax causes irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. The gastrointestinal tract, skin, vascular system and central nervous system are the principal systems and organs affected. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, erythematous and exfoliative rashes, unconsciousness, depression and renal failure. Borax has been shown to adversely affect male fertility in animal models. Testicular toxicity and decreases in body weight result at extreme doses. Chunks of borax, used to control pH in drilled mud, were found on the ground at an abandoned oil well drilling site and consumed by cattle. The cattle appeared depressed, developed hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and dehydration. The exposure to the borax was presumed to be of short duration and probably consisted of ingestion on only one occasion (Brockman et al, 1985). Cancer is a leading cause of death in humans. The causes of cancer include cigarette smoking, dietary factors, infection, chronic inflammation, and food additives. There are many kinds of food additives associated with cancer (Sugimura, 2002). Mutagenic food additives are carcinogenic and therefore their use is banned (Nicklin and Miller, 1989; Tobacman et al, 2001; Sugimura, 2002). The Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand (1999) has declared borax as a prohibited substance in Thai food because of its toxicity to humans, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Borax toxicity effects human cellular development and function. In Thailand, though prohibited, many merchants add borax to food as a firming agent, preservative and tenderizer. In 1995, the prevalence of borax abuse in food in Bangkok was 7.2% with a risk of 49.3% in minced meat, pork, chicken and fish; 20% in meat, pork, chicken and Thai sweets made from flour; and 10.1% in preserved fruits (p=0.00001) (Flanagan, 1995). In 1999, the prevalence of borax in food increased to 29.6% in Bangkok (Food and Drug Administration, 1999). We studied the effect of borax on human cells and chromosomes (in vitro) to verify borax toxicity at the cytogenetic level. MATERIALS AND METHODS