Downloaded 6/01/2007

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

MSDS Q-119 REVISION 6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE DIAL CORPORATION

DIAL CENTER FOR INNOVATION MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 1-888-689-9082
15101 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 (24 Hours Daily)
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 85254-9934 OTHER INFORMATION: 1-888-468-6673

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

SUBSTANCE: BORAX

TRADE NAMES/SYNONYMS: 20 MULE TEAM BORAX NATURAL LAUNDRY BOOSTER

CHEMICAL FAMILY: Inorganic salt

I.D. NUMBERS: 929002

NFPA RATINGS (Scale 0-4, U=Unrated): HEALTH=0 FIRE=0 REACTIVITY=0

HMIS RATINGS (Scale 0-4, where 4=severe hazard): HEALTH=1 FIRE=0 REACTIVITY=0

This product is labeled in accordance with regulations administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The
use pattern and exposure in the workplace are generally not consistent with those experienced by consumers. The
requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration applicable to this Material Safety Data Sheet differ
from the requirements of the CPSC and as a result, this MSDS may contain additional health hazard information not
pertinent to consumer use and not found on the product label.

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS INFORMATION

COMPONENT: SODIUM TETRABORATE DECAHYDRATE (BORAX) CAS# 1303-96-4

10 mg/m3 OSHA TWA
5 mg/m3 ACGIH TWA

Carcinogen status of component: Not listed as a carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL DATA

DESCRIPTION: White, odorless, crystalline powder.

BULK DENSITY: 48 lbs/cubic ft pH: 9.25 @ 20 C (3% solution)

MELTING POINT: 144 F (62 C) SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 5.8% @ 20 C

SOLVENT SOLUBILITY: Soluble in glycerol; very slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in acids.

Page 1 of 4
 MSDS Q-119 (Rev. 6)
FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD - Product is not flammable, combustible or explosive.

FIRE FIGHTING MEDIA - Extinguish using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Product is fire retardant.

FIRE FIGHTING - No acute hazard.

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

NOTE: The acute health effects described below are those which could potentially occur for the finished product. They
are based on the toxicology information available for the finished product and/or each hazardous ingredient, and are
consistent with the product type and the likelihood of a specific route of exposure. Known chronic health effects related to
exposure to a specific ingredient are indicated.

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS:

INHALATION: Dust may cause mucous membrane irritation with coughing, dryness and sore throat.

SKIN CONTACT: Non-irritating to intact skin. Absorption through large areas of damaged skin may
produce symptoms similar to those following ingestion.

EYE CONTACT: Direct contact with powder or dusts may cause irritation with redness, pain, blurred vision, and
possibly corneal injury.

INGESTION: May cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as headache nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
and diarrhea, with delayed effects of skin redness and peeling.

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS:

No chronic health effects are expected from the intended use of these products or from foreseeable handling of them in
the workplace. Nonetheless, the following effects have been reported for a component, sodium borate, and boric acid.
Sodium borate upon entry into the body becomes boric acid.

Sodium Borate: Sodium borate and boric acid interfere with sperm production, damage the testes and interfere
with male fertility when given to animals by mouth at high doses. Boric acid produces developmental effects,
including reduced body weight, malformations and death, in the offspring of pregnant animals given boric acid by
mouth.

The above mentioned animal studies were conducted under exposure conditions leading to doses many times in
excess of those that could occur through product use or inhalation of dust in occupational settings. Moreover, a
human study of occupational exposure to sodium borate and boric acid dusts showed no adverse effect on
fertility.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS BEING AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Pre-existing skin

conditions and respiratory illnesses (such as asthma).

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES

INHALATION: Immediately remove from exposure area to fresh air . Keep affected person warm and at rest. Treat
symptomatically and supportively. Contact physician or local poison control center. If breathing has stopped, give
artificial respiration, and get medical attention immediately.

SKIN CONTACT: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Rinse affected area with soap or a mild detergent and
plenty of water until no evidence of product remains.

EYE CONTACT: Immediately rinse eyes with plenty of water, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids, until no
evidence of product remains. Get medical attention if pain or irritation persist.
Page 2 of 4
 MSDS Q-119 (Rev. 6)

INGESTION: Treat symptomatically and supportively. Maintain airway and respiration. If vomiting occurs, keep head
in a position to prevent aspiration of vomitus. Dilution by rinsing the mouth and giving water or milk to drink is
generally recommended. If unconscious, the victim should not be given anything to drink. Contact physician or
local poison control center.

REACTIVITY

REACTIVITY - Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.

INCOMPATIBILITIES: Strong oxidizers, acids, zirconium.

DECOMPOSITION - Thermal decomposition products may include toxic oxides of sodium and boron.

POLYMERIZATION - Hazardous polymerization has not been reported to occur under normal temperatures and
pressures.

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL

Store away from incompatible substances. Store in a cool dry place. Keep container tightly closed when not in use.
Observe all federal, state and local regulations when storing or disposing of this substance.

CONDITIONS TO AVOID

Avoid generation of dust. If material is involved in a fire, it may melt to a glassy material which can flow in large quantities
and ignite surrounding combustible materials.

SPILL AND LEAK PROCEDURES

OCCUPATIONAL SPILL - Sweep up and place in suitable clean, dry containers for reclamation or later disposal. Small
residual amounts of material may be flushed with water to the sewer. Keep unnecessary people away.

OCCUPATIONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

VENTILATION - Provide local exhaust ventilation system to meet permissible exposure limits, where dusts are
likely to be generated.

RESPIRATOR - Air contamination monitoring should be carried out, where dusts are likely to be generated, to assure that
the employees are not exposed to harmful concentrations the above permissible exposure limits. If respiratory
protection is required, it must be based on the contamination levels found in the workplace, must not exceed the
working limits of the respirator and be jointly approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and
the Mine Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH-MSHA).

FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND OTHER IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH CONDITIONS -
Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other
positive-pressure mode. Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or
other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-
demand or other positive-pressure mode.

CLOTHING - Protective (impervious) clothing is required where repeated or prolonged skin contact may occur.

GLOVES - Chemical-resistant gloves are required where repeated or prolonged skin contact may occur.

EYE PROTECTION - Dust-proof safety glasses are required to prevent eye contact where dusty conditions are
anticipated.

REGULATORY INFORMATION
Page 3 of 4
 MSDS Q-119 (Rev. 6)

DOT FLAMMABILITY CLASSIFICATION: Not applicable.

EPA - SARA TITLE III SECTION 313: Toxic chemical - None.

TSCA: All components of this product are listed or are exempted or

excluded from listing on the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) chemical substance inventory.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained herein is provided in good faith and is believed to be correct as of the date hereof. However,
The Dial Corporation makes no representation as to the comprehensiveness or accuracy of the information. It is
expected that individuals receiving the information will exercise their independent judgment in determining its
appropriateness for a particular purpose. Accordingly, The Dial Corporation will not be responsible for damages of any
kind resulting from the use of or reliance upon such information. No representations, or warranties, either expressed or
implied of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or of any other nature are made hereunder with respect to the
information set forth herein or to the product to which the information refers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MSDS CREATION DATE: 03/13/89

SUPERSEDES: Rev. 5; 06/03/04
REVISION DATE: 03/30/05
REVISION: Updated address information, hazardous ingredient information, physical and chemical data.

Page 4 of 4