ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION, AND TRANSFORMATION

As discussed in section 2, the alkyltin component of organotin compounds is relatively stable to environmental degradation processes such as hydrolysis, compared with the association with the relative ligand (such as an isooctyl mercaptoacetate group). Thus, in water, most of the derivatives are reported to dissociate to the constituent alkyltin (usually as the chloride or the oxide) and the relevant anion (KemI, 2000). 

For the purposes of environmental modelling using the EUSES program, data are available regarding photodegradation of the substances, as summarized in Table 5. 

There are data available on biodegradation (for surface water) from tests conducted according to OECD 301F (respiration inhibition). These data are outlined in Table 6. 

Organo- tin Photodegradation constant (cm / molecule per second at 25 °C) Half-life (days) 

It is generally accepted that biodegradation half-lives are longer in both seawater and soil/sediment than in fresh water (CEC, 2003). 

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Environmental transport, distribution and transformation Environmental levels and human exposure Kinetics and metabolism in laboratory animals and humans Effects on laboratory mammals and in vitro test systems Effects on humans... 

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