Tolerable daily intake levels have been set by the European Food Safety Authority for organotin compounds, widely used as anti-fouling paints in ships, wood preservatives and in pesticides.


Its scientific panel on contaminants in the food chain has advised daily intakes of 0.25 micrograms/kg body weight for TBT, DBT, TPT and DOT compounds are safe.


Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) are particularly toxic to seafood and fish, in whose bodies they tend to bio-accumulate. The panel warned that consuming fish, mussels and other marine animals from highly contaminated areas, such as near harbours and heavily used shipping routes, could lead consumers to exceed safe intakes over time.