Organo-tin compounds: Health effects
Description
Brief contact with dialkyltin and trialkyltin compounds causes irritation of the skin and the respiratory tract. Acute intoxications can cause vomiting, headache, visual defects and abnormal electrical activity of the brain. These symptoms are unlikely to occur if proper protective measures are taken. Some organotin compounds have been reported to display anti-tumour activity. Tributyltin compounds are moderately toxic via both ingestion and dermal absorption. The tributyltin compounds may be strongly irritating to the skin and skin exposure may result in chemical burns in severe cases. Mucous membranes such as the eyes and nasal passages may also become irritated upon exposure. Shipyard workers occupationally exposed to dusts and vapours of tributyltin developed irritated skin, dizziness, difficulty in breathing and flu-like symptoms.
Entering the body
Organotin compounds can be inhaled in commercial/industrial work environments where organotin compounds are produced or used. Ingestion is considered to be an unlikely route of entry in these environments. Some skin absorption may occur when direct contact with organotins takes place. Exposure for the general public is expected to be minimal.
Exposure
Occupational exposure is the most likely point of exposure to organotin compounds. Following proper handling procedures will minimise any risk of harmful exposure. A potential source of organotins in food and beverages arises from the use of triorganotin agricultural biocides and of diorganotins as heat stabilisers in PVC packaging materials. It has been found that food normally does not contain any detectable triorganotin residues. In the unlikely event of food being contaminated with traces of triorganotins, normal processing of food will largely degrade any remaining organotins. Diorganotins may leach from the packaging on the food, but resulting concentrations are generally very low. It has been concluded that exposure to diorganotins used in PVC is small.
Health guidelines
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Maximum of 0.001 mg/L (i.e. 0.000001 g/L) for tributyltin oxide.
Worksafe Australia has set the exposure standard for organic tin compounds to 0.1 milligram/m3 (TWA, as tin) and the short term exposure level should not exceed 0.2 milligram /m3 (STEL).
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