Here is the scoop from Ciba (Chemical manuafacturer):
Ciba® IRGAROL® 1051
Irgarol
® 1051 is a highly specific and effective inhibitor of photosynthesis. This makes it ideal, combined with its very low
water solubility, for use in long-life antifouling coatings for marine applications to prevent the growth of algae.
While Irgarol
® shows outstanding performance in the control of algae, it has comparatively low biological activitiy to
animals in general, including
fish, shellfish and humans. It is therefore an ideal active substance for the formulation of biocide packages with a designed performance profile, where it is combined with other active ingredients to control additional target organisms.
In antifoulling paints, Irgarol 1051 is often combined with copper, or copper compounds, such as cuprous oxide, or copper thiocyanate. While Irgarol 1051 effectively controls algae, copper is effective at controlling
animals.
Irgarol
® 1051 may also be used as the sole biologically active ingredient in coatings for mariculture devices such as
fish nets or
oyster racks.
Download Technical Data Sheet .PDF