The Dangers of Tin

updated 05/22/2008

Tin is a metal that we come into contact with on an almost daily basis. It is used to line the insides of beverage cans, aerosols and steel food containers due to its ability to resist corrosion. While most people do not come in direct contact with high levels of tin, those who do are subject to a number of health-related concerns.

What is Tin?

Tin (atomic number: 50, element symbol: Sn) is found primarily in the form of an oxide in the mineral Cassiterite. Tin and its compounds can be found naturally occurring in the soil, water and air in and around where it is mined or where it is naturally present. It is a silvery metal which is often used to coat other types of metals like steel or iron because of its non-corrosive properties. Tin is alloyed with copper to form bronze; and pewter alloys can contain up to 99% tin.

Some of the most popular applications for tin and tin alloys include:

• Lining food and beverage containers
• Solder for plumbing applications and electrical circuits
• The pipes in "Pipe Organ's"
• Used in the manufacture of window glass via the "Pikington Process"
• It was used in the early 20th Century to make "tin foil"

Tin compounds can be found in a wide range of products like toothpaste, perfume, soap, plastics, pesticides and paints.

How am I Exposed to Tin?

Today's "tin cans," or approximately 90% of them, are actually coated with a very fine layer of lacquer to prevent elements of the tin from leeching into the foods or beverages the can is containing. Even still, much of the body's contact with tin comes from that source.

Another source of tin exposure is from eating seafood caught in coastal waters. If the coastal water has a high tin concentration, it is common for the seafood of the region to absorb it. Handling household items, like certain plastics, can also place you in direct exposure with tin compounds, although the level is quite low.

The most common chance of exposure to dangerous levels of tin is usually at the workplace, specifically if you work in a factory that processes tin and its compounds. If you work at or live around a hazardous waste site, there have been cases of high concentrations of tin in the air quality in those regions.

What are the Symptoms of Exposure to Tin?

Since metallic tin is not easily absorbed by the stomach, ingesting it does not cause a toxic effect. However, if a substantial amount of inorganic tin is ingested, it can result in a serious stomachache, liver and kidney problems as well as anemia.

Exposure to high levels of tin can also cause skin or eye problems like inflammation or irritation. Certain neurological problems have also been recorded as a result of tin exposure. In some cases of very high exposure, specifically in the form of trimethyltin and triethyltin compounds, it has been proven to be fatal.

In laboratory studies conducted on rats, it has been proven that a specific organotin, triphenyltin hydroxide, can cause cancer if taken orally over a long period of time. With that said, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have not classified inorganic tin compounds nor metallic tin as carcinogens to humans.

How can I Reduce my Exposure to Tin?

Since tin is found naturally in our environment it is impossible to fully eliminate all exposure to it. However, there are some things you can do to limit your exposure. First, reduce the amount of foods you eat that come packaged in cans. Or, after you have opened the cans, remove the food and store the unused portion in a different container. You should also moderate how much seafood you eat, or at least try to find out where the fish was caught to ensure that it was not caught in water contaminated with organic tin compounds. Lastly, you should avoid using silicon-coated parchment paper when cooking, as it contains certain organotin compound.

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