Biocide

Description

The general name for any chemical that kills or inhibits the growth of a living organisms such as a Pesticide, Insecticide, Fungicide, Herbicide, Bactericide and Disinfectant. Biocides are often added to water-based paints to prevent biological growth. Paint products intended for outdoor use may also contain fungicides to minimize degradation and staining of the dried film. Examples of some types of biocides added to paints are: Phenylmercuric acetate (discontinued), Tributyl tin oxide, Formalin, Alcohol, phenolics, and isothiazolinones. These compounds are present in small amounts (0.001 - 1 %) but are very toxic.

Synonyms and Related Terms

disinfectant; pesticide; insecticide; fungicide; herbicide; bactericide

Resources and Citations

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
• The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980
• G.Caneva, M.P.Nugari, O.Salvadori, Biology in the Conservation of Works of Art, ICCROM, Rome, 1991
• Tom Learner, A Review of Synthetic Binding Media in Twentieth-Century Paints., The Conservator, Vol. 24, 2000