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Inventory of biocides used in Denmark

6. Main group 4: Other biocidal products

6.1 Product-type 20: Preservatives for food or feedstock

Preservatives for food or feedstock are used for the control of harmful organisms in food or feedstock. Preservatives for food and feedstock are in general covered by other regulation, but there are a few exemptions, for example preservatives in cheese rind.

Within this project there has not been made any attempt to assess the consumption of biocides for these exemptions.

6.2 Product-type 21: Antifouling products

Antifouling products are used to control the settlement and growth of fouling organisms (microbes and higher forms of plant or animal species) on vessels, aquaculture equipment or other structures used in water.

The product-type can be organised into three sub-types:

	Antifouling paints for vessels < 25 m
	Antifouling paints for vessels ³ 25 m
	Antifouling products for other uses

The background for the organisation of the product-type into antifouling paints for vessels of < 25m and ³ 25 m respectively is that the application of some of the agents in Denmark and many other countries are only permitted for vessels ³ 25 m (Bek 1042; Bek. 761).

6.2.1 Antifouling paints for vessels < 25 m

Products in this group are biocidal products used to control the settlement and growth of fouling organisms (microbes and higher forms of plant or animal species) on vessels smaller than 25 m.

The antifouling paint is applied to the hull below the waterline, and the active agents are continuously released to the water.

Producers and suppliers of antifouling paints are organised in the trade organisation 'The Danish Paintmakers Association' ('Foreningen for Danmarks Lak- og Farveindustri').

The only Danish producer of antifouling paints is J.C. Hempel's Skibsfarvefabrik A/S. The main importer of antifouling paints for small vessels is International Farvefabrik A/S.

Biocides used for vessels <25 m in 1998 is shown in Table 6.1. The list is based on a gross list from PROBAS including all antifouling agents used in Denmark combined with information from (Madsen et al., 1998) and information from the Danish Paintmakers Association regarding which compounds are used for small vessels.

Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were previously used in combination with copper compounds. The use of Diuron and Irgarol has by January 1 2000 been prohibited for vessels smaller than 25 metres (Bek 1042 modified by Bek 297 of April 22, 2000; Bek 761).

The use of antifouling paint has by January 1 2000 been prohibited for all boats in freshwater, and for boats of less than 200 kg (with some exceptions, i.e. boats of wood in marine waters and boats in harbours classified as A and B) (Bek 761, 1999).

Table 6.1
Biocides used for antifouling paint for vessels < 25 m in Denmark ¹⁾

1) Two agents registered in PROBAS, which may be used for small vessels are not included due to confidentiality (all agents are shown in table 6.3 in confidential report).

2) The agents are not to be used after 1 January 2000 on vessels <25 m.

3) Average concentration (weight %) in the wet paints according to PROBAS.

4) The registered average concentration seems to be somewhat too high.

The consumption of biocides (active agents) with antifouling paint for vessels <25 m in Denmark in 1996 has been estimated by Madsen et al. (1998). Based on information from the trade organisation, it is estimated that no significant changes have taken place between 1996 and 1998. The estimated consumption is shown in Table 6.2.

It is estimated that zinc pyrithione and copper to some extent have substituted for Diuron and Irgarol, which on January 1 2000 were prohibited for vessels smaller than 25 metres, but other agents considered confidential may be used as well.

Table 6.2
Consumption of biocides with antifouling paints for vessels <25 m in Denmark 1996 ¹⁾

6.2.2 Antifouling paints for vessels ³ 25 m

Products in this group are biocidal paints used to control the settlement and growth of fouling organisms (microbes and higher forms of plant or animal species) on vessels of more than 25 m.

The paints are applied by professionals on the hull below the waterline when the vessels are in dry dock. The active agents are continuously released to the water during use.

Producers and suppliers of antifouling paints are organised in the trade organisation 'The Danish Paintmakers Association' ('Foreningen for Danmarks Lak- og Farveindustri').

The only Danish producer of antifouling paint is J.C. Hempel's Skibsfarvefabrik A/S. Main importers of antifouling paints are Sigma Coatings A/S, Brifa Maling A/S, Jotun Danmark A/S and International Farvefabrik A/S.

Tributyltin and copper compounds are the main biocides in antifouling paints for vessels ³ 25 m.

The organotin compounds are either dispersed in the paint and released by diffusion (e.g. TBTO) or the organotin is incorporated in the polymer matrix; typically consisting of a tributyltinmethacrylat/methacrylat copolymer. The latter paint types are designated 'self-polishing paints' where the organotin compound is released in a controlled way to the seawater by a chemical reaction resulting in the formation of a water soluble reaction produc, which is polished away in time. Free association paints with organotins acting as a biocide are banned in the EC from September 1, 2000 (Directive 99/51/EEC implemented by (Bek 297)).

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization under the UN works at present on developing a legal instrument to regulate the use of shipboard anti-fouling systems. The IMO resolution A.895 (1999) states that a global instrument should ensure a global prohibition on the application of organotin compounds which act as biocides in anti-fouling systems on ships by 1 January 2003. (IMO, 2000)

Table 6.3
Biocides used for antifouling paint for vessels ³ 25 m in Denmark ¹⁾

1) Four agents registered in PROBAS are not included in this report due to confidentiality. It is not clear whether all three compounds are used for large vessels. In addition zinc oxide are for a few products in PROBAS registered as antifouling agent, but for most products it is registered as a pigment, and zinc oxide will here be considered a pigment and not included in the assessment.

2) Average concentration in the paints according to PROBAS data.

3) The compounds are used in an insignificant amount. It is not evident whether the agent is used in vessels of less or more than 25 m.

4) TBTO is used as stabiliser in self-polishing paints.

5) The registered average concentration seems to be somewhat too high.

An assessment of the consumption of antifouling paints for large vessels in Denmark has some inherent methodological problems. Due to the fact that paint sold in Denmark may be applied by a Swedish shipyard on a vessel from Singapore, maintaining a regular service between Tallinn and Helsinki, there is no connection between the amount of antifouling paint sold in Denmark and the release of the biocides from vessels to the Danish waters.

It is, however, presumed that the amount of antifouling paint sold in Denmark indicates the order of magnitude of the amount of antifouling paints used by Danish shipyards.

The total sale of biocides with antifouling paints for large vessels in Denmark 1999 is shown in Table 6.1. The total consumption is based on updated information from PROBAS combined with information from the Danish Paintmakers Association. Antifouling paint produced in Denmark and exported is not included, but some of the paint sold in Denmark may be shipped by the customer and applied abroad.

The total consumption of organotin compounds with antifouling paint in 1995 has been assessed by Lassen et al. (1997). The assessment was based on updated and quality assessed data from PROBAS. The substance flow analysis also included an assessment of the release of organotin compounds from shipyards and from ships in the Danish waters. The total release of organotin from ships to the inner Danish waters was in the analysis estimated at 0.7-5.2 tonne organotin per year.

Table 6.4
Consumption of biocides with antifouling paint for vessels ³ 25 m in Denmark 1999

6.2.3 Antifouling products for other uses

Products in this group are biocidal products used to control the settlement and growth of fouling organisms (microbes and higher forms of plant or animal species) on nets and cages for marine aquaculture and other marine constructions than vessels.

As to the knowledge of the authors, the only application of antifouling paints in Denmark within this application area is the application for marine aquaculture. For aquaculture, the nets are every spring dipped in antifouling paint to prevent fouling.

Offshore oilrigs in the Danish part of the North Sea are - according to information from the operators to the Danish EPA - not painted with antifouling paint.

Producers and suppliers are the same as for antifouling paints for vessels.

The users of the paints are organised in the trade organisation Danish Marine Aquaculture Association (Dansk Havbrugerforening).

It has due to confidentiality not been possible to obtain information about the active agents used, but antifouling paint for aquaculture is mainly based on copper. It is, however, expected to be some of the same active agents as used for small vessels. Organotin compounds are not allowed for antifouling paints for aquaculture.

6.2.3.3 Consumption of biocides with finished products

The consumption of antifouling paint for this application is, based on information from the trade organisation ‘Dansk Havbrugerforening’, estimated at 5-10 tonnes per year. The estimated content of active agents is shown in Table 6.1.

Table 6.5
Consumption of biocides with antifouling paint for aquaculture in Denmark 1998

6.3 Product-type 22: Embalming and taxidermist fluids

The product-type includes products used for the disinfection and preservation of human or animal corpses, or parts thereof. The product-type can be organised into two sub-types:

	Embalming fluids for humans
	Embalming and taxidermist fluids and chemicals for animals

6.3.1 Embalming fluids for humans

Deceased people are preserved for two main reasons:

	Education of medical students (P. Nielsen, 2000)
	Preservation of corpses for flight transport for funeral abroad.

For flight transport of corpses, it is required by the regulation that the corpses are preserved. Corpses for funeral in Turkey and Pakistan make up the main part of the transports out of Denmark. For transport to European countries, land transport by hearse is common, and the corpses are not preserved.

For delayed funeral in Denmark the corpse is usually not preserved, but stored cold.

The chemicals for embalming are supplied by many companies.

The universities of Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen preserve cadavers for education of medical students. Hospitals all over the country preserve corpses for funeral abroad.

Biocides used for embalming of human corpses are shown in table Table 6.6.

Table 6.6
Biocides used for embalming of human corpses

1) Concentration in the biocidal product from the producer.

6.3.1.3 Consumption of biocides with finished products

In total about 600-700 corpses are annually embalmed for education of medical students or funeral abroad. The estimated amount of embalming fluids is shown in Table 6.1.

More than half the corpses are transported out of the country for funeral, but at the same time preserved corpses of Danish people deceased abroad is transported into the country. The exact number has not been estimated. The total consumption of formaldehyde in the hospital sector in Denmark was in 1984 estimated at 20 tonnes (Axelsen, 1984). Compared to this the consumption for embalming is relatively small.

Table 6.7
Consumption of biocides with embalming fluids for human corpses ¹⁾

6.3.2 Embalming and taxidermist fluids for animals

Animals are preserved both by 'dry ' preservation and by 'wet' preservation, submergence into preserving fluids.

Animal cadavers are preserved by 'wet preservation' for two main reasons:

	Taxonomical studies and monitoring programmes
	Education of veterinary students

The latter application in many ways resembles the preservation of human corpses for educational use mentioned in the previous section.

There is a number of small suppliers of the chemicals.

There are about 15 establishments doing fulltime preservation (Reitz, 2000) and about 50 taxidermists. The research centres carry out ‘wet’ preservation for research and educational use.

Biocides used for embalming and preservation of animals are shown in Table 6.8.

The following is as regards ‘dry preservation’ based on Reitz (2000), Danish zoological Taxidermists Association (Reitz, 2000) and The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University as regards ‘wet preservation’.

For wet preservation ethanol and to some extent ethanol mixed with formaldehyde are used.

Arsenic is the most used biocidal product for 'dry' preservation. Arsenic trioxide is mixed with soap flakes, calciumhydroxide, campher and water. This paste is painted with a brush to the inside of the skin.

For tanning of the hide of larger mammals tanning agents like alum (Aluminium potassium sulfate, dodecahydrate) and lutern are used. The agents may have some biocidal effect, but it is estimated that it is not the primary effect, and the agents are not included in the list of biocides. The tanning is often done by professional tanneries. Borax is sprinkled on the inside of the skin.

Formaldehyde and ethanol are used for 'dry' preservation as well as 'wet' preservation, but the amount used for 'dry' preservation is estimated to be insignificant compared to 'wet' preservation.

Table 6.8
Biocides used for embalming and preservation of animals

1) The content in the product placed on the market.

6.3.2.3 Consumption of biocides with finished products

The estimated consumption of biocides for preservation of animals is shown in Table 6.9. The amount of fluids for taxonomically studies at the universities and preservation of animals for monitoring programmes has not been assessed in detail.

Table 6.9
Consumption of biocides for preservation of animal corpses ¹⁾

6.4 Product-type 23: Control of other vertebrates

Products of this group are used for the control vertebrates other than rodents (product-type 14), fish (product-type 17) and birds (product-type 15). Products that control the animals by an attractive or repellent action are included in product-type 19.

The only identified products for the control of other vertebrates are agents for the control of moles (Talpa europaea). The agents have to be approved by the Danish EPA and can only be used with permission.

In the Danish Pesticide statistics, the agents for control of moles are assessed together with rodenticides. The same agents may be used for control of rats and the water vole (Arvicola amphibius) and are consequently also included in product-type 14: Rodenticides.

As to the knowledge of the authors, biocides are not used for the control of other vertebrates like mink and marten. These predators are usually trapped or shot.

Suppliers of approved agents for control of moles are Rentokil A/S, Mortalin A/S, Inter-Trade A/S, Tanaco Danmark A/S and Trinol A/S (Danish EPA 1999 B).

6.4.1.2 Biocides used in Denmark for the application area

The consumption of biocides used in Denmark for control of moles in 1998 is shown in Table 6.1.

Table 6.10
Consumption of biocides for control of other vertebrates in Denmark 1998 ¹⁾

1) Consumption according to the Danish Pesticide Statistics 1998 (Danish EPA 1999 A).

2) According to the Danish survey of approved pesticides 1998 (Danish EPA 1999 B). Includes only the number of products for this application.

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