FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5978

                                  C 334 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Parks & Ecology (originally sponsored by Senators Bottiger, Kreidler and Vognild)

Prohibiting the use of tributyltin in paints.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Tributyltins (TBT) have been called the most toxic compounds ever deliberately introduced into natural waters.  A growing body of research indicates that TBT may seriously affect nontarget organisms such as shrimp, clams, and oysters and have unknown effects on humans who eat marine organisms containing TBT.

TBT is added to paints and applied to boat and ship hulls to retard the growth of fouling organisms such as barnacles, tubeworms, algae, etc.  These organisms increase hull friction and weight, causing increased fuel consumption.

Several countries including France, England and Japan have placed partial bans on TBT usage.  The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a special review to assess the toxicity of TBT.

SUMMARY:

The use and/or sale of tributyltin, or any of its derivatives, in marine anti-fouling paints is banned as of April 1, 1988.

Marine anti-fouling paints having a TBT rate-of-release standard of not more than five micrograms per square centimeter per day are exempt when applied:  (a) to aluminum vessels; and (b) to outboard motors from spray cans.

This act will expire upon the Environmental Protection Agency's adoption of rules relating to TBT-based marine anti-fouling paints.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    44     0

      House 92   3 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House             (House refused to recede)

      Senate            (Senate concurred in part)

      House             (House receded in part)

      House 96   0

      Senate    47     0

EFFECTIVE:April 1, 1988