Environmental tributyltin research: Past, present, future

Environmental research into tributyltin (TBT) continues to elicit considerable research effort, despite the usage of such compounds having been controlled in antifouling paints for 15 years. This prevailing interest stems from the recognition that the legislation has not been universally effective in abating TBT fluxes to the marine environment, although greater success does seem to have been attained in freshwater ecosystems. Good indicators of the global extent of TBT pollution are imposer in gastropods and butyltin content in cetaceans. Key questions about toxicological mechanisms, particularly in mammals, remain unanswered. Whereas past and present investigations have been reductionist in nature, future emphasis is likely to be placed on model development and application in coastal marine environments.