Overview

The actual release rate of biocides from antifouling paints on ships' hulls into the environment depends on many factors, such as ship operating schedules, length of service, berthing conditions, paint condition, as well as the temperature, salinity, pH, pollutants and biological community in a particular area. However, based on knowledge of the composition of the paint and its specified lifetime and application thickness, an estimate of the mean biocide release rate from an antifouling paint over its specified lifetime can be obtained by the mass-balance calculation method described in this International Standard. The calculation also allows an estimate to be obtained of the cumulative mass of biocide released over the first 14 days, and also the total mass of biocide released over the specified lifetime. This standard specifies a method for estimating the mean release rate of biocide from an antifouling paint over its entire lifetime (in-service period) using a mass-balance calculation. If required, the cumulative total release of biocide over the first 14 days of the specified paint lifetime can also be calculated. This International Standard is applicable to any antifouling paint that releases a biocide. Where an antifouling paint releases, or is assumed to release, more than one biocide. The calculation can be repeated to allow estimates of the release rate of each biocide to be obtained. The calculated estimate of the total amount of biocide released by the coating over its lifetime can be considered as a worst case for the maximum amount released to the environment. The calculated mean release rate value should therefore also be considered as the maximum possible mean release rate over the lifetime of the paint. The calculated estimates are suitable for use in general environmental risk assessments. The application of appropriate correction factors will allow the most accurate and representative environmental risk assessment to be made in the relevant scenario and risk assessment case. There are no minimum or maximum limiting values of release rate which restrict the use of this method. This standard is primarily directed towards the release of biocide from antifouling paints that have been applied to ship and boat hulls. It can, however, also be used for estimating biocide release from antifouling paints that have been applied to other objects. The Committee responsible for this standard is NA 002-00-07 AA "Allgemeine Prüfverfahren für Beschichtungsstoffe und Beschichtungen" ("General test methods for coating materials and coatings") at DIN.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 002-00-07 AA - General test methods for coating materials and coatings  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 139 - Paints and varnishes  

Responsible international committee

ISO/TC 35/SC 9/WG 31 - Properties after application