US EPA

2299818 

Journal Article 

Effects Of Organotin Anti-Fouling Coatings On Man And His Environment 

Sheldon, AW 

1975 

Yes 

Journal of Paint Technology
ISSN: 0022-3352 

NIOSH/00155840 

47 

600 

54-58 

The acute and chronic toxicities of anti fouling coatings were studied in animals. The acute oral median lethal dose (LD50) was determined for bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (56359), tributyltin-fluoride (1983104) and triphenyltin-fluoride (379522) for rats and rabbits. The acute dermal LD50 was also determined. Primary skin and eye irritation were assessed for these compounds. A subacute dermal toxicity study was performed using albino-rabbits exposed to 14.0, 27.2 or 68.0 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) applied to the skin of the back each day. Mortality, reactions, body weight, hematologic and clinical blood chemistry, urine and gross microscopic pathology were studied. An assessment of the carcinogenicity of tributyltin-fluoride was made in male Swiss-white-mice. Animals received a dermal application of 15mg of 5 or 10 percent tributyltin-fluoride solution 3 times a week for 6 months. The acute oral LD50 of bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide was 234mg/kg and its acute dermal toxicity was 11,700mg/kg as a powder. The acute oral LD50 of tributyltin-fluoride was 200mg/kg and the dermal LD50 was 680mg/kg. The acute oral LD50 of triphenyltin-fluoride was 1,170mg/kg. All were severe or extreme eye irritants and most were moderate to severe skin irritants. In the 90 day study, no effects were seen at 14mg/kg. A dose of 68mg/kg was toxic, with increases in total and differential leukocyte counts and decreases in body weight. Skin lesions were seen. At 27.2mg/kg effects were less pronounced. No carcinogenic effects were seen from the dermal application of either concentration of tributyltin-fluoride to mice. The author concludes that skin and eye irritation are the major hazards from these organotin anti fouling coating when used by humans.