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Zinc Pyrithione: Questions & Answers Fact Sheet
- What is zinc pyrithione?
- What are the major uses of zinc pyrithione?
- How is zinc pyrithione formulated and incorporated?
Zinc pyrithione (also known as Zinc Omadine® or Zinc 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide) is used to prevent microbial degradation and deterioration of manufacturing starting materials such as plastics, polymers, and latexes, and in a wide range of finished articles made from these starting materials. The chemical acts to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, mildew, and algae that can cause various types of deterioration such as discoloration, staining, odors, etc.
Zinc pyrithione is used to preserve a wide variety of food/drinking water contact, and non-food contact articles such as: adhesives; carpet fibers; carpet backings; rubber or rubber-backed bath mats; foam underlay for carpets; synthetic, non-leather materials; foam stuffing for cushions and mattresses; wire and cable insulation; vinyl, linoleum, tile and other synthetic floor coverings; wall coverings; plastic furniture; athletic flooring and mats; mattress liners, covers or ticking; molding; mats; gaskets; weather stripping; coated fabrics for furniture cushions, boat covers, tents; tarpaulins and awnings; rubber gloves (non-surgical); garbage bags, cans, and other refuse containers; bathtub appliques; garden hose; pipe (non-potable water); ductwork; air filters; air filtration components and media for industrial, hospital, residential, and commercial heating and cooling; conveyor belts; shower curtains; sponge or fiber mops; household use sponges; toilet brush receptacles; toothbrush receptacles (non-bristle contact); scrub brushes (non-medical); sink mats and drain boards; storage containers; soap dish holders; towel bars; components of uppers in footwear.
Zinc pyrithione is also registered for incorporation into antifoulant boat paints to control the growth of slime, algae, and marine fouling organisms (e.g., barnacles, tubeworms, etc.) below the water line on recreational and commercial boat hulls.
The largest use for zinc pyrithione is non-pesticidal (i.e., control of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis), and is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is the active ingredient in many anti-dandruff shampoo.
Zinc pyrithione is incorporated into various polymers and plastics as a liquid, powder, or aqueous dispersion, during the manufacturing process of these materials, and during the manufacture of finished articles from these materials. Zinc pyrithione is added usually by metering pump if it is a liquid, and by open pouring if it is the powder form. It is added at a point where thorough mixing will take place.