Tributyltin
[6] TBT is also known to be an endocrine disrupting compound, which influences biological activities such as growth, reproduction and other physiological processes.
TBT compounds have a high fat solubility and tend to absorb more readily to organic matter in soils or sediment.
[4] TBT was mixed into paints to extend the life of antifouling coatings and ships were able to continue operations for a longer time frame.
It has antifungal properties that make it useful for both the production of textiles and wood preservation, and in the creation of biocides for paired use with fertilizers.
There is a slight biomagnification of TBT that has been demonstrated in the lower part of the marine food chain (i.e., planktonic organisms, invertebrates, and fishes).
[12] As TBT is most often used as a biofouling agent, it bioaccumulates in marine wildlife such as molluscs, with levels being higher in organisms and sediments in and around areas of high maritime activity, such as ports and harbours.
This means that bioaccumulation readily occurs in marine environments, which can lead to very high amounts of TBT being accumulated, especially in smaller organisms at the bottom of the food chain, which in turn has various health effects.
Exposure to organotin compounds causes the development of male accessory sex organs in female prosobranch gastropods.
[15] In gastropods, the normal process of accessory sex organ development is retinoid dependent, as has been proven by the effect 9cisRA has on male penises.
Higher concentrations of TBT were found to increase the female population and the results are interesting because unlike the masculinization of the stengoglassan gastropods, feminization was present.
Oryzias latipes, commonly called Japanese rice fish, has been used as a model vertebrate organism to test for effects of TBT at developmental stages of the embryo.
[8] TBT compounds have been described to interfere with glucocorticoid metabolism in the liver by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase type 2, which converts cortisol to cortisone.
As of 2008 high levels of tributyltin have been detected in the livers of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and stranded bottlenose dolphins.
It was also reported by scientists that sea otters typically stay near boats and closed off marinas, which may have led to these organisms experiencing higher levels of butyltins.
In 1990, the Marine Environment Protection Committee adopted Resolution MEPC 46(30), which recommended that the Government eliminate the use of TBT-containing antifouling paints on smaller vessels.
This resolution was intended to be a temporary restriction until the International Maritime Organization could implement a ban of TBT anti-fouling agents for ships.
The IMO began to use an Assembly resolution in 1999 that essentially wanted the MPEC to fix the severe environmental effects of the anti-fouling systems.
[7] In November 2018, the US Department of Justice announced that three people they had charged and arrested in New Jersey for manufacturing and selling tributyltin based marine paint had pleaded guilty.
