Kathon™ WT: Water Treatment Microbicide
Kathon™ WT: Water Treatment Microbicide
Kathon™ WT: Water Treatment Microbicide
Description
KATHON WT*,WTE and WTA microbicides are high performance, broad spectrum, antimicrobial agents based on
the proven isothiazolone chemistry of Rohm and Haas Company.
They are effective at very low concentrations in controlling both the planktonic and surface growth of bacteria,
fungi and algae and have been produced specifically for water treatment and paper mill applications.
Rohm and Haas Company have developed an unrivalled package of regulatory approvals and environmental fate,
toxicology, and performance data to support the use of KATHON WT in water treatment applications.
For some years, Rohm and Haas Company have manufactured KATHON WT at facilities approved according to the
internationally recognised Quality Standard ISO 9002 (equivalent to BS5750 Part 2). This reflects the commitment
of Rohm and Haas to supply high quality products for its customers.
This technical bulletin provides efficacy, toxicology and environmental fate data to allow the safe and effective use
of KATHON WT.
* Unless otherwise specified "KATHON WT" is used to denote the KATHON WT group of biocides, which includes
KATHON WT, WTE and WTA.
1 - Performance
Water soluble:
KATHON WT is easily incorporated into formulations.
Compatibility:
KATHON WT is compatible with chlorine, corrosion and scale inhibitors and most anionic, cationic and non-ionic
formulations at normal use levels.
Non-surface active:
KATHON WT is non-foaming.
Infrequent dosing:
KATHON WT remains active for long periods of time in the water system, resulting in low service costs.
Easily deactivated:
Spills of the concentrated active components of KATHON WT are readily deactivated to non-toxic substances by
the addition of a slightly acidic solution of sodium metabisulphite or sodium bisulphite.
Low toxicity:
Extensive toxicological testing has shown KATHON microbicides to be of low toxicity at recommended use levels.
Continued testing ensures that potential risks are well defined.
The chemical composition, physical and chemical properties of KATHON WT, KATHON WTA and KATHON WTE
microbicides are shown in Table 1.
• KATHON is stable over the wide range of conditions found in cooling water and paper mill
applications.
Product as supplied:
KATHON WT and WTE microbicides are stable as supplied for at least a year at ambient temperatures and for 6
months at 50°C. We recommend, however, that KATHON WTA is stored at 25°C or below for a maximum period of
6 months. Generally, storage conditions appropriate for industrial chemicals should be employed, avoiding
exposure to extremes of temperature.
At use levels:
The performance of biocides in industrial water systems is dependent on their stability. Several factors can
influence the rate of degradation including water hardness, pH and temperature. The stability of KATHON WT is
actually enhanced in hard water conditions. At normal use levels in water treatment systems, KATHON WT biocides
are biologically and physically compatible with:
• anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants
• corrosion and scale inhibitors
• chlorine (Table 2)
• majority of standard paper mill additives.
Figure 1 shows the excellent stability of KATHON WT compared with competitive biocides at different levels of pH,
temperature and total water hardness. This is dealt with in greater detail in the section on stability/ compatibility.
In addition to its excellent stability at use levels, KATHON WT has the advantage that, when diluted well below its
use level, it is readily biodegradable.
Table 2 - Stability of 10 ppm active ingredient KATHON WT in the presence of 1.0 ppm free residual
chlorine
Fig. 1: Stability of KATHON WT vs. competitive biocides at different levels of temperature and water
hardness over a pH range 5.5-9.5
* Total Water Hardness
DBNPA = 2.2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide
GLUT = glutaraldehyde
MBT = methylene (bis) thiocyanate (data not yet available at pH 5.5)
4 - Antimicrobial Properties
KATHON WT rapidly interacts with proteins within the cell, causing an inhibition of respiration and ATP synthesis,
which results in an inability to synthesize biopolymers or catabolize substrate. Growth inhibition rapidly becomes
irreversible and results in cell death as essential proteins are progressively oxidized. Even before cell death occurs,
the KATHON-treated organisms are unable to synthesize either biodegradative enzymes or the exopolymers which
facilitate microbial adhesion and biofilm formation.
Tables 3-6 show the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of KATHON WT active ingredient against
microorganisms in test-tube and microtitre plate assays i.e. the lowest concentration which will inhibit microbial
growth.
This data demonstrates broad spectrum activity against all types of fouling microorganisms e.g. fungi, bacteria,
and algae. The methods used to obtain this data are useful for screening antimicrobial substances under
standardized laboratory conditions, in nutrient rich growth media. Therefore the effective levels of active
ingredient derived from these tests do not necessarily translate into the most efficacious use levels for particular
applications.
Many water treatment biocides have "gaps" in their activity spectra i.e. they may be good fungicides but poor
algicides or bactericides. One biocide which can perform the function of two or three different products, saves both
time and money and reduces the chances of dosing errors. A broad spectrum biocide, such as KATHON WT, which
prevents the growth of, or kills organisms causing surface fouling, at low concentrations, is essential in industrial
water treatment.
a: The bacteriostatic and fungistatic tests were performed by serially diluting the biocide in trypticase-soy broth
followed by a 1:100 inoculation with 24-hour broth cultures of test bacterium or fungal spore suspension
(prepared from 7-14 day culture slants washed with 7 mls of deionized water). Minimum inhibitory
concentration levels were determined visually after 2 days incubation at 37°C for bacteria and 7 days
incubation at 28-30°C or fungi.
• Biofilm.
A considerable difference exists between the efficacy of a biocide against free-living or planktonic microorganisms
and surface-attached or sessile microorganisms. Sessile microorganisms build up on process surfaces that are in
continual contact with water, to form biofilms, which may vary from the more obvious slimy or filamentous layers,
to discrete deposits barely visible to the naked eye.
Biofilms consist of complex populations of sessile microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and algae)
inorganic and organic debris bound together by an extracellular microbial adhesive1,2 (Fig. 2). The polysaccharide
matrix protects microorganisms against rapid environmental changes, including the addition of many biocides and
other water treatment chemicals, making them more difficult to kill than their freeliving counter-parts. Some
biocides may also be deactivated by adsorption to organic and/or inorganic debris within the biofilm itself.
Not only do surface-attached microorganisms outnumber planktonic populations by several orders of magnitude,
but they are also the direct cause of most problems in industrial cooling water systems, air washers and paper
mills. These include:
Energy loss due to fouling
• increased heat transfer resistance
• filter blocking
• decreasing fluid flow/increasing pressure drop in pipes
Microbial-induced corrosion
• of unprotected metal surfaces beneath the biofilm
CYANOPHYTA/CYANOBACTERIA
Anabaena flos-aquae 0.03
Nostoc commune 0.12
>Oscillatoria prolifera 0.08
Phormidium luridum 0.12
Synechococcus leopoliensis 0.50
Schizothriz calcicola 0.31
Scytonema hofmanni 0.16
Calothrix parienta 0.31
Microcystis aeruginosa 0.16
b: A 96-well microtitre plate assay using two-fold serial dilutions in growth media, was employed to determine
MIC values against algae and blue green bacteria. Microorganisms used as inoculum were grown up on an
algal-cyanobacterial medium under constant agitation and with a 16 hour illumination cycle. MICs were
determined visually (using a microtitre plate reader) after 14-21 days incubation at 25°C under constant
illumination.
• The need for activity against biofilm.
An industrial water treatment biocide must be active against biofilm. In spite of this, many biocides are still only
tested against planktonic microorganisms (see Cooling Water Microbicide section). Rohm and Haas have been at
the forefront of research into sessile testing* and have independently developed and tested two laboratory
methods for monitoring the use of biocides to control biofouling in industrial water distribution systems, namely:
• model cooling towers
• circulating biofilm loops
KATHON WT is not only effective in killing microorganisms in existing biofilms, but will also prevent biofilm
regrowth when regularly dosed into a clean system.
KATHON WT is one of the few microbicides extensively tested against biofilm organisms during its development.
A more comprehensive discussion of biofouling, the problems it causes and the efficacy of KATHON WT against
biofilms, are given in the Cooling Water and Paper Mill Microbicide sections.
* See External Rohm and Haas Publications list at the end of this bulletin.
5 - Comparative Efficacy
KATHON WT has been evaluated against competitive biocides in extensive laboratory tests and field trials. Results
show that it easily out-performs its nearest competitors (Fig. 3).
It produces excellent control against sessile aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, in both industrial cooling
systems (Fig. 4 and Table 7) and as a paper mill slimicide (Fig. 5). Field trials in an industrial air washer have also
proved its excellence as a microbicide (Table 8).
It is effective over a wide pH range and is therefore ideal for use in the alkaline conditions that exist in multi-cycle
cooling towers and modern papermaking.
It is attractive economically because low levels and infrequent doses can be used successfully.
Fig. 3 : Comparative efficacy of KATHON WT and alternative water treatment biocides against biofilm in
model cooling towers (viable cells per sq cm). The approximate cost of alternative biocide treatment
have been calculated in comparison with that of 1 ppm AI KATHON WT and are expressed as cost-
equivalents
Fig. 4 : Effect of KATHON WT on naturally occurring microbial populations in an industrial cooling
tower
% REDUCTIONa AFTER:
AREA
3 Weeks 5 Weeks 5 Weeks
SAMPLED MICROORGANISM INITIAL COUNT
Dose Dose Dose
9 ppm AI 1 ppm AI 0.5 ppm AI
Basin Water Bacteria 1.30 x 106/ml 75 53 86
Fungi 2.80 x 102/ml 94 93 91
Algae 3.93 x 102/ml 96 88 –
Slats Bacteria 2.79 x 109/cm2 98 97 94
Fungi 1.64 x 105/cm2 99.5 94 99.2
Algae 3.44 x 105/cm2 – 88 96
Distribution Bacteria 4.58 x 1010/cm2 99.9 97 95
Boxes Fungi 4.19 x 104/cm2 99.4 93 93
Algae 2.06 x 107/cm2 >99.99 92 99.98
Figure 5 illustrates a case history of biocide treatment in a newsprint mill where biocide addition was at the broke
towers. Using carbamate, bacterial counts in the broke pulp were unacceptably high. After changing to a cost-
equivalent level of KATHON WT, bacterial counts in the broke were significantly reduced and downtime due to
contamination was minimized.
Table 8 - Effect of KATHON WTE on the microbial populations in an industrial air washing system a,b
a: System Parameters
Volume of water: 945,000 litres
Retention time: 2.5 cycles (19 days based on blowdown)
pH: 7.6
KATHON WTE level: 1.0 ppm AI
Dose schedule: Initial dose: 60.5 litres KATHON WTE charged into common sump (60 ppm as supplied)
Subsequent doses: 7.5 litres KATHON WTE 1.5% charged into common sump based on
blowdown
b: Visual Evaluation
KATHON WTE maintained a clean system. No problems of odour or foaming were encountered during or after the
trial
c: Most probable number of sulphate reducing bacteria/ml
d: 0 = none detected
6 - Application Areas
• KATHON WT is ideally suited to meet the requirements of an industrial water treatment biocide.
KATHON WT microbicide is not deactivated by suspended organic matter, and is compatible with other water
treatment additives, including chlorine. With the recent change of many cooling towers and paper mills to alkaline
operating conditions, it is important to use a biocide such as KATHON WT, which remains stable at higher pH
values. KATHON WT is of low toxicity at use levels, easily deactivated and biodegradable. In addition to all these
essential properties, KATHON WT is cost-effective.
Table 9
• Rohm and Haas Company, one of the foremost specialty chemical manufacturers, takes every
measure to ensure that its products are safe for both people and the environment.
Toxicology
In line with this policy, Rohm and Haas provide comprehensive toxicological data for KATHON WT, which shows
that it is of low toxicity at use-levels.
Environmental fate
With the tightening of legislation governing the quality of industrial effluent, a major consideration in the choice of
a biocide for industrial water treatment is its fate in the environment. This is discussed in more detail in the
section on Environmental Fate and some of the original research is published in the Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry, 23, 1060-1075, 1975. Reprints are available on request.
KATHON WT has been shown to be environmentally acceptable by a variety of test procedures. The criteria for
acceptability is beyond the most stringent control parameters introduced by regulatory authorities.
This unique combination of properties makes KATHON WT a first choice for any water treatment programme.
• The list below is intended to assist you and your customers to comply with prevailing regulatory
controls. It illustrates the status of KATHON WT microbicide in those countries where specific
approvals are required.
Other grades of KATHON microbicides based on the same active ingredients as KATHON WT have obtain FDA or
BGA approvals allowing their use as preservatives in latex which is employed in the production of adhesives and
paper and board for contact with dry, aqueous and fatty foods.
For further details of those approvals, please contact your local Rohm and Haas Sales Office.
Table 10
9 - References
• General.
1. Characklis, W.G. and Cooksey, K.E. (1983). Biofilms and microbial fouling. Adv. Appl. Microbiol., 29, 93-138.
2. Costerton, J.W., Geesey, G.G. and Cheng, K. (1978). How bacteria stick. Sci. Am., 238, 86-96.
• Costerton, J.W. and Lashen, E.S. (1984). Influence of biofilm on efficacy of biocides on corrosion-causing
bacteria. Mater. Perform. 23,13-17.
• Haack, T.K., Lashen, E.S. and Greenley, D.E. (1988). The evaluation of biocide efficacy against sessile
microorganisms. In Developments in Industrial Microbiology, vol. 29. (J. Indust. Micro., Suppl. N° 3)
pp. 247-253.
• Haack, T.K., Shaw, D.A. and Greenley, D. E. (1986). Isothiazolones preserve starch-based drilling muds. Oil
and Gas J., January 6th, 1986.
• Krzeminski, S.F., Brackett, C.K. and Fisher, J.D. (1975). Fate of microbicidal 3-isothiazolone compounds in the
environment : Modes and rates of dissipation. J. Agric. Food Chem., 23, (6), 1060-1068.
• Krzeminski, S.F., Brackett, C.K., Fisher, J.D. and Spinnler, J.F. (1975). Fate of Microbicidal 3-isothiazolone
compounds in the environment: Products of degradation. J. Agric. Food Chem., 23, (6), 1068-1075.
• McCoy, W.F. and Lashen, E.S. (1985). Biocide efficacy against sessile microorganisms in laboratory model
cooling towers. Proc. U.K. Corrosion '85, Harrogate. 259-269.
• McCoy, W.F. and Lashen, E.S. (1986). Evaluation of industrial biocides in laboratory model cooling towers.
Proc. Ann. Meet Cooling Tower Inst., Paper N° TP-86-17.
• McCoy, W.F., Ridge, J.E. and Lashen, E.S. (1986). Kinetic analysis of a new delivery system for cooling
towers. Proc. 47th Annual Meeting The International Water Conference, Pittsburg, PA.
• McCoy, W.F., Wireman, J.W. and Lashen, E.S., (1986). Efficacy of methyl-chloro/methylisothiazolone biocide
against Legionella pneumophila in cooling tower water. J. Indust. Micro., 1, 49-56.
• Ruseska, I., Robbins, J., Costerton, J.W. and Lashen, E.S. (1982). Biocide testing against corrosion-causing
oilfield bacteria helps control plugging. Oil and Gas J., 253-264.
• Tanner, R.S., Haack, T.K., Semet, R.F. and Greenley, D.E. (1985). A mild steel tubular flow system for biofilm
monitoring. Proc. U.K. Corrosion '85, Harrogate. pp. 259-269.
• Williams, T.M. (1988). Growth and control of biofouling microorganisms in modified laboratory cooling towers.
Proc. 2nd Venezuelan Corrosion Conference, Venezuelan Central University, Caracas, Venezuela.
Acknowledgements
The electron micrograph which forms Figure 2 has been reproduced by kind permission of the Fouling Forum,
Harwell Laboratories, U.K. A.E.A. The photograph on page 16 has been reproduced by kind permission of New
Thames Paper Company, part of UK Paper, U.K.
These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without guarantee, as
conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user determines the suitability of
our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale.
Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication
should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license to use any patents of
the Rohm and Haas Company.
For further details, please contact your local Account Manager or local Business Representative.
December 2000
©Rohm and Haas, 2006 All rights reserved.
BIO.KATHON WT GE.PB. E.