A Prioritized Database of Substances of Environmental Concern Used in Marine Coatings

Degradation of marine coatings over time is a continuous source of ocean pollution, resulting in the release of paint particles that can leach biocides and other chemical additives into the marine environment. While the toxicity of some biocides is known, the identities and environmental impacts of most chemical substances used in marine coatings remains a major knowledge gap. Marine coatings are highly complex, containing many chemical additive types, including adhesion promoters, antifouling agents, catalysts, cross-linking agents, and many others. The present study reports on a prioritized database of chemical substances associated with marine coatings, identifying 3075 chemical substances, 1485 of which were classified as substances of potential environmental concern through hazard assessment and environmental fate modeling. Additionally, 59 chemical substances were recommended as prioritized substances for environmental monitoring, including 33 fluorinated substances, 12 organosilicon substances, and 6 chlorinated organics. Temporal analysis revealed an increase in the diversity of chemical additives employed in coating formulations, including perfluorinated and organosilicon substances as the basis of fouling-release compositions. This study lays a foundation for better understanding the complexity of marine coatings and highlights a pressing need for elucidating and classifying a broader range of marine coating additives that can adversely impact the environment.