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INTRODUCTION <br />Interest in the toxicity of tin compounds dates to the early 1800's when <br />investigators demonstrated that inorganic tin compounds produced muscular <br />weakness, loss of pain sensation, and immobility in dogs (Reiter and Ruppert <br />1984; Idemudia and McMillan 1986b). In man, organotins can be assimilated by <br />inhalation, absorption through the skin, and from food and drinking water <br />(Zuckerman et al. 1978). The first documented case of organotin poisoning of <br />humans was in 1880 when workers complained of headaches, general weakness, <br />nausea, and diarrhea after exposure to triethyltin acetate vapors (Reiter and <br />Ruppert 1984). Renewed interest in the toxicity of organotin compounds <br />resulted from a medical tragedy in France in 1954. "Stalinon," a proprietary <br />compound of diethyltin diiodide plus linoic acid used to treat furuncles and <br />other skin infections, caused 217 poisonings and 111 deaths (Piver 1973; <br />Duncan 1980; Idemudia and McMillan 1986b). The identified toxic components in <br />Stalinon were triethyltin contaminants; victims received a total dose of 3 <br />grams over a 6- to 8-week period. Symptoms included constant severe headache, <br />rapid weight loss, vomiting, urine retention, vertigo, hypothermia, abdominal <br />pain, and visual and psychic disturbances. Some of the more severely affected <br />patients had convulsions. Death usually occurred in coma or from respiratory <br />or cardiac failure. In survivors, headaches and diminished visual acuity <br />remained for at least 4 years. <br />Recent world production of organotin compounds is about 30,000 tons, <br />although relatively few organotin compounds, perhaps only 25, are presently <br />produced and used to any great extent (Laughlin and Linden 1985). <br />Diorganotins are used in the manufacture of antioxidants, whereas <br />triorganotins are used as general biocides against microbial and invertebrate <br />pests and in marine antifouling paints (Laughlin and Linden 1985). The first <br />antifouling paints incorporating an organotin compound as a biocide were <br />developed in 1961. Because of their effectiveness and availability in a <br />variety of colors, tributyltin antifouling paints are now the most commonly <br />used type, replacing copper-, mercury-, and lead-based paints (Stebbing <br />1985). Worldwide synthesis of tributyltin compounds is about 900 metric tons <br />annually for all applications (Laughlin et al. 1986a). Tributyltins are <br />highly toxic to aquatic plants and animals, readily accumulate in fish and <br />molluscs from contaminated localities, and are present in some harbors where <br />their release from antifouling paints--found usually on small boats and <br />recreational craft--is the putative source (Walsh et al. 1985; EPA 1986;