Organotin compounds, reproductive toxicity

Reproductive Toxicity. There are currently limited data available regarding the reproductive toxicity of inorganic tin or organotin compounds after inhalation, oral, or dermal exposures in either humans or animals. The limited toxicokinetic data indicate that inorganic tin is poorly absorbed and that selected organotin compounds such as trimethyl- and triethyltins appear to be absorbed slightly better. Inorganic tin dose not appear to readily cross the placenta (Hiles 1974). 

Ema, M., Hirose, A. (2006). Reproductive and developmental toxicity of organotin compounds. In Metals, Fertility and Reproductive Toxicity (M.S. Golub, ed.), pp. 23-64. CRC Press/Taylor Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton. 

Hirose A, Takagi A, Nishimura T, Ema M (2004) Review of reproductive and developmentai toxicity induced by organotins in aquatic organisms and experimentai animais. Organohalogen Compounds, 66 3042-3047. 

The main compounds used worldwide to control fouling are organotins as tributyltin oxide (TBTO see Figure 12.1a). They are effective at preventing fouling, but they cause widespread environmental problems due to their persistence in the environment and their toxic effects such as acute toxicity, bioaccumulation, decreased reproductive viability, and increased shell thickness in shellfish. 

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