Potential Health Effects Inhalation : Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath. Volatile hydrides are particularly dangerous because of their ease of entry into the body and their ability to destroy red blood cells. Inhalation may result in symptoms and problems similar to ingestion. Ingestion : Boron compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular spasms, dullness, lethargy, circulatory depression, central nervous system depression, shock, kidney damage, coma, and death. Skin Contact : Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain. May cause burns to skin tissue upon contact. Eye Contact : Causes irritation, redness, and pain. May cause burns. Chronic Exposure : Prolonged or repeated ingestion or skin absorption of boron compounds may cause anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, convulsions, and anemia.