Boron is a chemical element that is a dark amorphous powder. It falls under group 13 of the periodic table and to be more specific, period 2. Much like other elements of this group, it is a metalloid. The symbol for Boron is B and its atomic number is 5. The electron configuration for Boron is B 1s2 2s2 2p1. It contains 5 protons, 6 neutrons and 5 electrons.
Boron is rare and difficult to produce. It acts in such a way that is similar to silicon and aluminum. According to Britannica, boron combines with various metals to form Borides. Theses Borides are usually harder, chemically less reactive with higher melting points than the pure boron. With nitrogen, boron forms boron-nitride which is much like what happens when it reacts with carbon. Boron also reacts with all halogen elements such as fluorine, chlorine, and iodine.
Boron can affect both the human body and the environment. According to Lenntech, humans get exposed to boron in the form of fruits, vegetables, air or even water and this amounts to approximately 2 to 18 milligrams per day. Consumption of Boron can result in health problems specifically to organs such as the stomach, the brain, kidney, liver or can ultimately lead to death. However, when one is exposed to minimal quantities of Boron it could cause minor conditions such as irritation of the throat, eyes and nose. As earlier stated, Boron can affect the environment. It occurs naturally as a result of weathering and other human activities. Humans increase the quantity of Boron in the environment by manufacturing glass, melting copper and making use of certain fertilizers. Plants absorb this Boron and eventually finds its way into the tissue of animals, thereby leading to severe health conditions similar to humans.
References:
Lenntech. (n.d.). Water Treatment Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/b.htm
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2017, November 16). Compounds. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/boron-chemical-element/Compounds
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