Tributyl tin is an effective antifouling agent, but is also tough on marine ecosystems. As regulations are set to ban its use, the search is on for a paint ingredient to do battle with biofouling organisms. Dr Jonathan Matias reveals an environmentally and economically acceptable option for the ocean. A major breakthrough in antifouling technology occurred in the 70s when paint companies began to use TBT as a toxicant. By the 80s and 90s, TBT was blamed for environmental damage in marine ecosystems to such an extent that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations passed a resolution, banning the application of TBT-containing paints by 2003, and enforcing a total ban on the presence of TBT on all ships by 2008. Besides efficacy, toxicity is a major issue of concern. Poseidon Ocean Sciences has also examined the toxicity profile of NB17. The data shown is from a typical acute toxicity study on the effect of exposure of marine larvae to NBl7. The lethal dose to barnacle larvae lethal dose (LD50) for NBl7 is 0.6mg/ml. In the case of the nauplii of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, as test organism, the LD50 was 0.75mg/ml. The LD50 for TBT is approximately 0.0000000034 mg/ml.
Life on the ocean wave. Coatings and the environment
PPCJ Polymers Paint Colour Journal ; 191 , 4439 ; 21-23
2001
3 Seiten, 2 Bilder, 1 Tabelle
Article (Journal)
English
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