Building surface materials as potential sources of biocides: Insights from laboratory leaching investigations of different material types

Biocides are incorporated into building surface materials to protect them against algae and fungi growth. When such treated surfaces are exposed to precipitation, they may release these biocides, contaminating receiving water bodies. To regulate the use of biocidal products in line with the European Biocidal Products Regulation it is crucial to identify the precise origin of this type of pollutant. In this study, the leaching of a wide range of biocides and chemical elements from 15 materials was investigated through a laboratory scale experiment. The experimental setup was based on the standard method, SIS-CEN/TS 16637-2:2015. The materials tested included bitumen roofing felt and shingles, impregnated wood, as well as paints intended for concrete, wood, and metal surfaces. Each material was tested in duplicates. All materials were tested at a liquid volume to surface area ratio (L/A) of 22.5 L/m². Sampling was carried out at three intervals: 6 h, 18 h, and 5 days with the leachant being renewed after each leaching step. The results were that diuron was the most commonly detected biocide from the materials tested. The largest number of biocides, including diuron and its degradation products 1-(3.4-dichlorophenyl) urea (DCPU) and diuron desdimethyl (DCPMU), terbutryn, carbendazim and monuron, were detected in the wood paints. Diuron was detected in all three types of wood paint with a mean areal release ratio of 64.6, 25800, and 5710 μg/m² for the respective paints. Copper was detected in all leachates from impregnated wood, with mean concentrations of 687, 648, 1450, and 279 μg/L from the four tested wood types, respectively. Some of the biocides released were not reported on the data sheets of the tested materials, indicating a need to investigate broader than only based on the information provided by the manufacturers. Future use of biocides in building surface materials may change due to regulations, phase outs and introduction of new biocides, indicating that source identifications is a continuing effort.