Organotin Compounds and the Environment

Organotin compound that have at least one Sn-C bond have wide commercial applications as PVC stabilizer, antifouling agent in paint and as agrochemicals. The general formula for organotin compounds is R4SnX4 - n where R is normally alkyl or aryl groups and X=Cl-, OH-, CH3COO- . If n=3, the compound has the highest toxicity, for example Et3SnOAC has LD 50 4mg/Kg ( rats ) and this is the most toxic compound. Organotin compounds affect natural killer (NK) on lymphocytes in human. It is known NK lymphocyte is the primary immune defense mechanism against tumor and virtually infected the cell in human bodies. Organotin compounds pollute water and soil that can be transferred to human body through seafood. Despite the ongoing legislative restrictions for the use of Organotin compounds in Western Countries, environmental pollution of these compounds is still a big problem. Therefore the investigation on the analysis and the degradation of these compounds in water and sediments is important. In this paper, we present the challenges in the analysis and the degradation of Organotin compounds.