update on global copper antifouling regulatory issues
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Update on Global Copper Antifouling Regulatory Issues. Global Marine Coatings Forum Singapore 2012 Neal Blossom – American Chemet. Topics . Science Copper Antifouling – Non-Target Organism Toxicity? Copper Antifouling – Tolerance and Invasive Species? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Update on Global Copper Antifouling Regulatory Issues
Global Marine Coatings ForumSingapore 2012
Neal Blossom – American Chemet
Topics Science
Copper Antifouling – Non-Target Organism Toxicity?Copper Antifouling – Tolerance and Invasive Species?Copper and Salmonid Olfactory Effects
RegulationsSweden, Netherlands, New Zealand, China, USA, Washington State, California
Copper and Toxicity Study Sampling Locations in Shelter Island Yacht Basin Capolupo (University of San Diego) et. al., 2011
Copper Concentrations Found
Wet Season Concentration
Dry Season ConcentrationOrange – Total Cu Blue – Dissolved Cu Black – Dissolved Organic Carbon
Toxicity Measured for Blue Mussel Larvae – The most sensitive species at its most sensitive life stage.
Application of the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) in This Study
This model predicts when copper toxicity can occur based on water chemistry and the actual bioavailability of the copper to the organisms.
The BLM accurately predicted that toxicity would only occur at the upper most concentrations found in this study.
Conclusions•There was not significant toxicity to non-target organisms away from the vessels hulls.• The Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) estimated chronic limit for Cu
(8.5 ug/L in this water body) is protective.• The current EPA Water Quality Criteria (3.1 ug/L) is overly
conservative based on EPA’s intended level of protection. • Lack of ambient toxicity and verified protection by BLM
suggest that Shelter Island Yacht Basin is not impaired due to copper.
Copper Tolerance
Is the use of copper in antifouling promoting invasive species which
are or are becoming copper tolerant?
Copper Tolerance Is Not New
NOEC values reported in μg/lICMCF, Seattle, 2012
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Log10(NOEC)
Distribution of copper “No Observed Effect Concentrations” for numerous marine
species
Biofouling SurvivalWatersipora subtorquata (bryozone – moss
type animal) is a robust species Panels with 3 AF paints (1 Cu2O based) + control Watersipora most abundant on AF panels by week 16
Floerl et al (2004)
Watersipora covered up to 64% of non-Cu AF panels
Paint 1 – Cu2O Paint 2,3 – Non-Cu biocidal Control – No biocide
● , ■ Watersipora ○ , □ Other sessile organisms Data reported from two test sites
The Cost of Survival
Watersipora larvae exposed to 100 µg Cu/L, simulating exposed Cu levels on hull surface
Transplanted to low Cu environments
Exposed larvae survived and settled, but subsequently grew slowly or died sooner than non-exposed larvae
Ng, Keogh (2003) Delayed effects of larval exposure to Cu in the bryozoan Watersipora subtorquata. Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 257, 77-85
Exposure to very high levels of copper, as could be expected on a treated hull, leads to reduced long-term fitness
Tolerance ConclusionsCost to organisms survival of copper levels outside the
normal rangeReduced growthReduced reproductive function
Non-Indigenous Species delivered to new environmentsRecent BLM assessments indicate the new environment is
not copper impacted which could give copper tolerant species an advantage.
Organisms attached to Cu treated surfaces forfeit general health to ensure survival.
Conclusion: Higher metal tolerance, while a strength of the organism, does not guarantee survival and isn’t a viable reason to stop using copper based antifouling.
Salmonid Olfactory Sense and Copper Environmental Concern
Copper has been shown to impact olfactory responses and behaviors in salmonid fish:Feeding, spawning, predator avoidance behavior
Perhaps the soon to be established BLM based copper water quality criteria, while protective of life of organisms, isn’t protective of behaviors that affect survival?
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Salmonid Olfactory Findings and Conclusions
Numerous studies were reviewed to investigate this phenomenon.
Olfactory and behavioral effects thresholds are usually higher than BLM derived freshwater or saltwater copper criteria
Therefore: copper criteria do not yet need to be lowered to protect against olfactory and behavioral impairment. More studies are underway.
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Copper Antifouling RegulationsWorldwide - Every country in the world accepts the
use of copper antifouling coatings! There is not a ban in place at this time anywhere in the world!
Sweden The NetherlandsNew ZealandChinaUnited StatesWashington StateCalifornia
Sweden’s “New” Policies There is no ban on copper antifouling. The coating
must just pass a risk assessment. At least 28 copper based coatings have been approved.
They are encouraging coatings manufacturers to bring low leach rate copper antifouling to their market for the Baltic.
They only allow “do-it-yourself” coatings if personal protective equipment isn’t necessary to pass an applicator risk assessment. 20 coatings meet this standard. All contain copper.
They are banning all zinc oxide only products.
The Netherlands Removed Their Ban On Copper Antifouling for Leisure Boats.
Why?The EU’s scientific committee on health and environmental
risks (SCHER) determined that the Dutch government failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify a proposed ban on copper-based antifouling paint for leisure boats.
In its opinion the SCHER committee concluded that the assessment was not "scientifically sound" and failed to show that copper antifouling posed significant environmental risks.
New Zealand Reassessment of All Antifouling Active Ingredients
All formulated products reviewed contain copper. Why? Because it has previously been found to be safe and effective.
In the reassessment preliminary result copper was found to be low to moderate in risk and high in benefit.
New Zealand EPA requested and we are providing additional information including monitoring studies to demonstrate that some of the risks identified in the reassessment were higher than the reality.
ChinaChina’s Ministry of Environmental Protection is seeking to
create a “Green Label” for antifouling coatings which are safe enough to the environment to warrant a special designation as being “Green”.Copper containing antifouling coatings are on the proposed
green list with a leach rate limit.
United StatesRegistration Review of copper antifouling is on going. The
US EPA’s preliminary decision was favorable and we foresee no significant issues.
Vessel General Permits – There is no ban or limitation for copper antifouling in the permits as drafted. The American Coatings Association has provided suggested wording revisions which would emphasize using effective antifouling coatings to prevent invasive species is more important than emphasizing any negative copper issues.
United States - ContinuedThe marine Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) review is on
going at the US EPA. They have been very favorable in all discussions of
acceptance - it is just a matter of when.We are hopeful for acceptance before fall 2013.
Washington StateA lawsuit by an environmental group prompted a ban on
copper antifouling for recreational vessels only. It was not because of any measured environmental effect.
The new law would phase in the ban between 1/1/2018 and 1/1/2020.
However, beginning 1/1/2016, the Department of Ecology must study how antifouling paints affect marine organisms and water quality. The department must report its findings to the legislature by 12/31/2017. We will seek to stop this ban at that time.
California Regulation and Legislation
The Dept. of Pesticide Regulation goal in the reevaluation of copper antifouling is to reduce copper input. Strategies Include
lower leach rate coatingscontrolling in-water hull cleaning.
Proposed legislation that could have banned the use of copper antifouling on recreational vessels has been removed.
Take Away Concepts Copper in antifouling use is being shown to
be even safer than previous recognized with each well reviewed study and risk assessment.
Every country in the world allows the use of Copper Based Antifouling because it is safe and effective.
Questions and Comments
Neal [email protected]