Boron

What is Boron?
It is a naturally-occurring mineral that is found in food and the environment. It is used in the chemical, medical, cosmetic and agricultural industries. In the drinking water regulations, it is defined as a Chemical parameter. Metallic Boron is extremely hard and has a very high melting point. Boron compounds are usually found in sediments and sedimentary rock formations and have a wide range of uses from glass-making and ceramics to cosmetic products, antiseptics, food preservatives, agricultural fertilizers, algicides, herbicides and insecticides.
What is an exceedance of Boron?
The limit for Boron set out in the EU drinking water directive is 1.0 mg/l. Therefore, any result above this level is an exceedance for Boron.
How would an exceedance for Boron occur?
Boron exceedances in drinking water tell us either that natural leaching of Boron containing minerals has occurred, or that there has been a contamination incident. The main threat of Boron contamination comes from industrial discharges or from detergents in sewage effluent.