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Tributyltin - the most toxic chemical ever deliberately released into the
seas
from WWF
GLAND, Switzerland - As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meets this week in London, WWF, the conservation organization,
called on the IMO member states to adopt the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems, to rapidly phase out the use of organotins, including tributyltin (TBT) - the most toxic chemical ever deliberately released into the seas.
For many decades, organotins have been used in anti-fouling paints on ships. Their detrimental effects on the environment were first noticed in oyster farms on the Atlantic coast of France in the late 1970s.
Since then, increased levels of organotins have been found world-wide in marine organisms further up the food chain, such as fish, seabirds and marine mammals.
Anti-fouling paints are applied to ships hulls to stop marine creatures clinging to them, which in turn slows the vessels down and increases fuel costs. The TBT from the paint is adsorbed by surrounding sea water, and accumulates in sediment around harbours and along shipping lanes. It is also absorbed by animals and accumulates in the food chain.
These chemicals have been shown to have hormone-disrupting properties in some species, and humans could also face health risks if they consume contaminated fish.
As the paint industry now guarantees efficient TBT-free alternatives, WWF wants the IMO to adhere to the proposed dates in the Convention and ban all applications of organotin-based anti-fouling systems by January 2003, and the presence of organotins in anti-fouling coatings by January 2008.
"WWF has been involved in discussions on the use of organotins for more than 10 years, time has now come to rid the marine environment of these harmful chemicals," said Dr Simon Vowles, Marine Policy Officer at WWF-UK. "IMO members must adopt a legal instrument which will enable anti-fouling systems using organotins to be phased out globally. It should be ratified and implemented through national laws as soon as possible."
The harmful environmental effects of organotin compounds were recognized in 1990 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Some countries such as Japan and New Zealand have already banned the use of anti-fouling paints containing organotins.
Last year, WWF launched a new project in Bremen, Germany, to test the efficiency of non-toxic paints on 19 different large vessels.
The positive findings of this project, its extensive outreach and the interest it generated among shipping companies, as well as the TBT-free alternatives already guaranteed by the paint industry, led WWF to build an organotin-free buyers group.
This group will involve proactive, environmentally responsible shipping companies already using these alternatives without detriment to their market share and competitive force. Dr Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International, will announce this voluntary initiative, under which members will make a commitment to ensure their entire fleet will be organotin-free by 31 December 2002, at a reception at the IMO this week.
The founding members of the organotin-free buyers group, named "Group 2003", are Hamburg Süd (containers) and Hapag Lloyd Cruises, from Germany, and Wallenius Lines and Wallenius-Wilhelmsen Lines, from Scandinavia.
"The traditional excuse for not phasing out organotins has been that efficient alternatives are not available," said Patricia Cameron, Marine Policy Officer at WWF-Germany. "This group indicates that this is no longer a valid argument because these companies are not losing out in what is a very competitive market by going organotin-free. By their commitment, they will contribute to eliminate a huge and direct input of contaminants into the marine environment".
WWF welcomed the adoption by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states, of a Convention that will effectively ban the use of organotins in anti-fouling paints on ships.
While very pleased with the IMO decision, WWF is concerned however that the Convention will not enter into force and become legally binding before the 1st of January 2003, which is the date originally agreed for the phase out of these dangerous chemicals, known for their hormone-disrupting properties.
Therefore, WWF urges the IMO member states to ratify the Convention as soon as possible, so that the ultimate elimination of organotins in anti-fouling paints can be initiated by a global legally binding mechanism.
For further information:
Patricia Cameron, Marine Policy Officer, WWF-Germany, tel.: +49 421 65 84 615 or +49 175 59 63 816 (mobile)
Simon Vowles, Marine Policy Officer, WWF-UK, tel.: +44 1483 41 25 16
Olivier van Bogaert, Press Officer, WWF International, tel.: +41 22 364 95 54
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