The invention provides co-solvents for preparing clear solutions of a
biocidal agent known as 10, 10'-oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA). The clear
solutions are stable over a relatively broad range of temperatures and
have very low Volatile Organic Carbon (VOC) content. They can be included
in master batches for the manufacture of plastic materials, such as
flexible PVC. The co-solvents of this invention have very low VOC values,
do not have troublesome odors, do not cause significant irritation during
the high temperature plastic manufacturing process, and are miscible in a
range of useful concentrations with plasticizers presently employed by
plastics manufacturers. The use of castor oil and/or modified castor oils
such as glyceryl ricinoleate, dehydrated castor oil, and certain
alkoxylated castor oils as a co-solvent to increase the dissolvable
concentration of OBPA, alone or in solution with a plasticizer, was not
known or expected.