How to Dispose of Nitric Acid
In this article, we’ll address specifically how to dispose of nitric acid. Like most acids, nitric acid can be neutralized prior to disposal. This chemical reaction greatly reduces the hazardous risks of nitric acid, helping your business to comply with the three tenants of proper waste disposal. The reaction must be completed safely, which we’ll explain in this article.

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Lab Alley
Proper disposal of chemical reagents is essential for three reasons:
- Legal complianceWorker and environmental safety
- Minimizing business/laboratory expenses
- All labs and businesses working with hazardous chemicals must comply with the regulations set in place by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and local jurisdiction.
These regulations are in place to minimize risks to workers handling hazardous chemicals.Chemical waste disposal can be expensive for labs and businesses. Businesses must schedule waste pick-up from a hazardous waste disposal company. Minimizing your hazardous waste is one way to cut business costs. It will also reduce costs from replacing expired or spilled reagents.
Safe Pest Control with Boric Acid
Boric acid and its related sodium salts is a popular and safe pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide. It works on a variety of targets including: insects, spiders, mites, fungi, and weeds. In this article, we’ll explain what makes boric acid special, and why it is such a popular choice for pest control.
What is boric acid?
Boric acid is a chemical compound with the formula B(OH)3, also known as orthoboric acid. It is usually grouped together with sodium borate salts as a class of pesticides found in nature and multiple products. Borax is perhaps the most well-known example of sodium borate salt, with the chemical formula Na2B4O7·10H2O.
Boric acid and its related salts, as well as boron itself, are all ubiquitous in nature, which bodes well for their environmental toxicity. Boron is found naturally in water, soil, and many crops, including edible fruits and vegetables. For example, in red cabbage, boron may be as high as 200-300 ppm.
How is boric acid used?
Boric acid, along with related compounds, are used mainly as pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. They have been registered in the United States for this use since 1948. Today, there are close to 200 products registered with boric acid or its sodium salts as an active ingredient.
Often, these products are used for agricultural purposes, but other uses include:
• Residential/homes
• Industrial
• Forestry
• Veterinary
• Medical/hospitals
• Food handling
Non-pesticide related usage includes:
• Fertilizers
• Household cleaners
• Laundry detergents
• Personal care products
Additionally, these products may be formulated in various forms, including:
• Tablets
• Powders
• Soluble concentrates
• Pellets
• Granules
• Paste
• Dusts
Boric acid products can be applied via aircraft, spreader, air blower, squeeze applicator, or aerosol.
How does boric acid work?
How does boric acid work as an insecticide?
As an insecticide, boric acid and related compounds act as stomach poisons including in ants, cockroaches, and termites. In other insects, boric acid can attack the exoskeleton.
How does boric acid work as an herbicide?
Boric acid may also attack plants through multiple mechanisms. In some cases, it acts as a desiccant to dry out plants. Alternatively, it may act to interrupt photosynthesis. It can also be used to kill algae in swimming pools and sewage systems.
How does boric acid work as a fungicide?
Boric acid and related compounds function as wood preservatives, to modulate fungi which cause decay in lumber.
Is boric acid safe for humans?
Boric acid is considered to have low toxicity to humans, and is not currently thought to be carcinogenic. Safety concerns can be easily avoided by observing best practice protocols, wearing personal protective equipment if you expect to be exposed in high concentrations, and following manufacturer instructions.
There are, however, some risks associated with acute or chronic exposure. Ingested boric acid will likely cause stomach pain and nausea, and vomiting or diarrhea that may appear blueish-green in color. Ingestion of even higher quantities may induce skin reactions, including rash and skin shedding. Inhalation is also possible and may result in sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, or nose bleed. Similar effects occur for exposed animals. Children and infants are thought to be more susceptible to toxicity from boric acid.
Is boric acid safe for the environment?
Because boric acid occurs naturally in abundance in the environment, it is not thought to be a major environmental concern. In fact, this is one of the major advantages of using boric acid as a pesticide. In appropriate quantities, boric acid can serve as a source of boron, an essential nutrient for plants. In excess quantities, of course, it will become toxic – hence its function as an herbicide.
Boric acid is also thought to be (mostly) non-toxic to birds, fish, aquatic life, and bees.
Where to buy boric acid
Lab Alley is proud to be your supplier of boric acid. We offer boric acid in multiple forms including: crystals, powder, granules, as well as saturated and dilute solutions. Additionally, we offer multiple concentrations, grades, and sizing options, from small to bulk, to exactly satisfy the needs of our diverse clientele. Boric acid offerings include:
• Boric acid granular, ACS grade 99.8%
• Boric acid crystals, ACS grade 99.8%
• Boric acid powder, Lab grade 99%
• Boric acid, Lab grade 4%
• Boric acid saturated solution
• Boric acid, 1 M solution
We also offer multiple types of sodium borate salts including:
• Sodium borate decahydrate, lab grade
• Sodium borate, 4%
• Sodium borate, granular, reagent grade
• Sodium perborate, technical grade
• Sodium borohydride, anhydrous powder, reagent grade 98%
Shop boric acid products today on our easy-to-navigate website, and enjoy no-hassle ordering, transparent pricing, and speedy delivery.
Where to restock on nitric acid
Now that you’ve disposed of your expired or degraded nitric acid, you will need to restock with a high-quality replacement from a supplier you trust. Lab Alley offers high quality nitric acid at competitive pricing, with a no-hassle ordering process, and fast delivery.



Conclusion
Chemical waste disposal can be expensive for labs and businesses. Businesses must schedule waste pick-up from a hazardous waste disposal company. Minimizing your hazardous waste is one way to cut business costs. It will also reduce costs from replacing expired or spilled reagents.