Pesticides used as preservatives in paints and coatings
Certain pesticides are used as preservatives to protect paints and coatings from spoiling both in the can and once applied to the surface.
Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has conducted post-market reviews of the paints and coatings uses for the following preservatives.
Post-market reviews
Re-evaluation of chlorothalonil
The paint-related uses of chlorothalonil were evaluated separately from other uses of this active ingredient, as per Re-evaluation Note REV2018-02, Approach for the Re-Evaluation of Pesticides Used as Preservatives in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses. This approach was adopted to obtain and review paint-related studies, have risk assessments more reflective of current and realistic exposure scenarios, and to allow for a consistent approach to the risk assessment and risk management for these uses.
Chlorothalonil is used as a dry-film material preservative against bacterial and fungal contamination or spoilage of paint.
Health Canada has determined that continued registration of products containing chlorothalonil for use as a material preservative in paint is acceptable when:
- the maximum label rate is reduced for exterior latex/solvent-based paints;
- closed transfer systems are used for industrial manufacturing using liquid formulations;
- additional personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by workers in manufacturing facilities using solid formulations, combined with a reduction in the amount handled by workers; and
- additional PPE is worn by professional painters when using an airless sprayer.
Health Canada will produce educational material for distribution to stakeholders to raise awareness of the PPE required for professional painters.
Health Canada reports
- Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2020-06, Chlorothalonil and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints
- Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-17, Chlorothalonil and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints
Re-evaluation of dazomet
The paint-related uses of dazomet have been evaluated separately from other uses of this active ingredient, as per Re-evaluation Note REV2018-02, Approach for the Re-Evaluation of Pesticides Used as Preservatives in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses. This approach was adopted to obtain and review paint-related studies, have risk assessments more reflective of current and realistic exposure scenarios, and to allow for a consistent approach to the risk assessment and risk management for these uses.
Dazomet is an "in-can" material preservative against bacterial and fungal contamination or spoilage of adhesives, adhesive coatings, latex paints, aqueous emulsions, coatings, slurries, paper, paper coatings, concrete admixtures and high viscosity suspensions.
Health Canada cancelled the uses of dazomet in paper and paper coatings, while products containing dazomet for other material preservative uses continue to be acceptable with additional mitigation. Continued registration of dazomet in Canada as a material preservative in paint and related uses when:
- the maximum label rate is reduced;
- a closed transfer system is used for handling liquid products in manufacturing facilities when workers handle more than 1.12 kg a.i./person/day;
- additional PPE is worn by workers in industrial manufacturing facilities handling commercial-class solid products;
- a reduction in amount of active ingredient formulated as wettable powder or soluble powder is handled by workers in industrial manufacturing facilities; and
- additional PPE is worn by professional painters when using an airless sprayer.
Health Canada will produce educational material for distribution to stakeholders to raise awareness of the PPE required for professional painters.
Health Canada reports
- Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2020-07, Dazomet and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses
- Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-14, Dazomet and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses
Re-evaluation of folpet
The paint-related uses of folpet have been evaluated separately from other uses of this active ingredient, as per Re-evaluation Note REV2018-02, Approach for the Re-Evaluation of Pesticides Used as Preservatives in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses. This approach was adopted to obtain and review paint-related studies, have risk assessments more reflective of current and realistic exposure scenarios, and to allow for a consistent approach to the risk assessment and risk management for these uses.
Folpet is a dry-film material preservative used to control bacterial and fungal degradation in solvent-based paints, stains and coatings and vinyl plastics (gaskets, roof membranes, exterior vinyl products including artificial leather for outdoor seating, truck covers, industrial tents and outdoor architectural fabrics).
Health Canada is cancelling the use of folpet as a material preservative in paint, while products containing folpet for use as a material preservative in vinyl plastics continue to be acceptable when:
- additional PPE equipment is worn by workers when mixing and loading in industrial manufacturing facilities, combined with a reduction in the amount handled by workers.
Health Canada reports
- Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2020-05, Folpet and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints and Vinyl Plastics
- Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-16, Folpet and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Paints and Vinyl Plastics
Re-evaluation of sodium omadine
The paint-related uses of sodium omadine have been evaluated separately from other uses of this active ingredient, as per Re-evaluation Note REV2018-02, Approach for the Re-Evaluation of Pesticides Used as Preservatives in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses. This approach was adopted to obtain and review paint-related studies, have risk assessments more reflective of current and realistic exposure scenarios, and to allow for a consistent approach to the risk assessment and risk management for these uses.
Sodium omadine is used as an "in-can" preservative of latex emulsions used in adhesives, caulks, patching compounds, sealants, paints and grouts against bacterial and fungal contamination and spoilage.
Health Canada has determined that continued registration of products containing sodium omadine for use as a material preservative is acceptable when:
- the application rates are reduced;
- closed transfer systems are used with the liquid formulation for industrial manufacturing; and
- reference to the duration of antibacterial efficacy is removed from the labels.
Health Canada reports
- Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2020-03, Sodium Omadine and its associated end-use products, used as a preservative in paints, coatings and related uses
- Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-15, Sodium Omadine and its associated end-use products, used as a preservative in paints, coatings and related uses
Re-evaluation of ziram
The paint-related uses of ziram were evaluated separately from other uses of this active ingredient, as per Re-evaluation Note REV2018-02, Approach for the Re-Evaluation of Pesticides Used as Preservatives in Paints, Coatings and Related Uses. This approach was adopted to obtain and review paint-related studies, have risk assessments more reflective of current and realistic exposure scenarios, and to allow for a consistent approach to the risk assessment and risk management for these uses.
Ziram is an "in-can" material preservative used to control bacterial and fungal degradation of dry starch and synthetic latex adhesives.
Health Canada has cancelled the registration of all ziram products in Canada.
Health Canada reports
- Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2020-04, Ziram and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Adhesives
- Re-evaluation Decision RVD2022-13, Ziram and Its Associated End-use Products, Used as a Preservative in Adhesives
Special review of diodofon
Diodofon is an antimicrobial active ingredient used as a material preservative in a variety of aqueous based products and building materials, and during leather tanning to provide protection against bacterial and fungal degradation.
In 2016, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) initiated a special review of diodofon based on the toxicology and exposure information submitted under section 12 of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). The following aspects of concern were identified for the special review under subsection 17(1) of the PCPA:
- Potential applicator risks (workers mixing/loading/applying)
- Potential postapplication risks (occupational and residential)
The assessments of the aspects of concern from this special review indicated that the risks to human health from the use of diodofon as a material preservative for interior paint and all building material uses, except wallboard joint compounds, are shown to be acceptable provided that the following label amendments are implemented:
- maximum rates are reduced for building materials;
- closed transfer systems are used for industrial manufacturing with liquid formulations;
- additional PPE and reduction in the amount handled for industrial manufacturing with solid formulations; and
- additional PPE is worn by professional painters when using an airless sprayer.
Health Canada cancelled the uses of diodofon in exterior paints, wallboard joint compounds and leather tanning since the risk to human health were not shown to be acceptable.
Health Canada will produce educational material for distribution to stakeholders to raise awareness of the PPE required for professional painters.
Health Canada reports
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