Lindane: Lindane: A Toxicological ProfileA Toxicological Profile

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdfDisease Registry (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdf

Uses of LindaneUses of Lindane

Agricultural Pesticide …Agricultural Pesticide …– 1940s – registered as an agricultural 1940s – registered as an agricultural

insecticide and fumigantinsecticide and fumigant– regulated by the Environmental regulated by the Environmental

Protection AgencyProtection Agency Pharmaceutical … Pharmaceutical …

– 1951 – approved for medical use1951 – approved for medical use– Regulated by Food and Drug Regulated by Food and Drug

AdministrationAdministration

Lindane: “Restricted Use” InsecticideLindane: “Restricted Use” Insecticide

This means…This means…– It can only be applied by licensed and It can only be applied by licensed and

certified applicatorscertified applicators– Amounts in drinking water restrictedAmounts in drinking water restricted– Is a hazardous waste which must meet Is a hazardous waste which must meet

certain disposal requirementscertain disposal requirements OSHA (Occupational Safety and OSHA (Occupational Safety and

Health Administration) regulates Health Administration) regulates allowable workplace levelsallowable workplace levels

More about Lindane as an More about Lindane as an Agricultural Insecticide …Agricultural Insecticide …

– Has not been produced in US since 1976Has not been produced in US since 1976– Has been imported for use on fruits, Has been imported for use on fruits,

vegetables and forest cropsvegetables and forest crops– Residue has been found in 189 of the Residue has been found in 189 of the

Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priority List (NPL) sites (EPA) National Priority List (NPL) sites (out of a total of 1,662)(out of a total of 1,662)

– Is a persistent organic pollutantIs a persistent organic pollutant

More about Lindane as a More about Lindane as a Medication …Medication …

Obtained by prescriptionObtained by prescription Available as lotion, cream or Available as lotion, cream or

shampooshampoo Used to treat scabies (mites) and lice Used to treat scabies (mites) and lice

in humansin humans

Sources of Exposure to LindaneSources of Exposure to Lindane

The publicThe public– Ingestion: contaminated food and waterIngestion: contaminated food and water– Inhalation: contaminated air Inhalation: contaminated air – Absorption: contaminated soil and Absorption: contaminated soil and

medical uses (creams, lotions or medical uses (creams, lotions or shampoos)shampoos)

Workers Workers – May be involved in the formulation of May be involved in the formulation of

products using this chemicalproducts using this chemical

Potential Adverse Effects of Potential Adverse Effects of Lindane ExposuresLindane Exposures

Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal: – Nausea and vomiting following ingestion, and Nausea and vomiting following ingestion, and

occasionally dermal exposuresoccasionally dermal exposures Neurological effects: Neurological effects:

– hyperexcitability, headaches, seizures, hyperexcitability, headaches, seizures, convulsions convulsions

– can lead to deathcan lead to death Skin rashes from topical exposuresSkin rashes from topical exposures Other possible effects include (data limited):Other possible effects include (data limited):

– hepatic toxicityhepatic toxicity– immune problems immune problems – CancerCancer

Some other Facts about LindaneSome other Facts about Lindane

In 2006, EPA called for voluntary In 2006, EPA called for voluntary cancellation of agricultural uses of Lindane cancellation of agricultural uses of Lindane

In 2002, State of California banned In 2002, State of California banned pharmaceutical use – other states pharmaceutical use – other states considering a ban or restriction considering a ban or restriction

As of 2006, is banned in 52 countries, As of 2006, is banned in 52 countries, restricted in 33, not registered in 10, restricted in 33, not registered in 10, registered in 17 (including the US)registered in 17 (including the US)

Preventing Adverse Effects of Preventing Adverse Effects of Lindane Medical ProductsLindane Medical Products

Never use on infants or on anyone Never use on infants or on anyone weighing less than 50 kg (110 lbs)weighing less than 50 kg (110 lbs)

Do not use on persons with seizure Do not use on persons with seizure disordersdisorders

Use alternative treatments firstUse alternative treatments first Keep out of the reach of childrenKeep out of the reach of children

Examples of Alternative Treatments Examples of Alternative Treatments for Lice and Scabiesfor Lice and Scabies

Scabies: Scabies: - permethrin cream 5% (Acticine, - permethrin cream 5% (Acticine, Elimite, Nix)Elimite, Nix)- crotamiton cream (Eurax)- crotamiton cream (Eurax)

Lice: Lice: - malathion lotion 0.5% (Ovide, - malathion lotion 0.5% (Ovide, prescription only)prescription only)

- pyrethrum 0.33% with piperonyl - pyrethrum 0.33% with piperonyl butoxide shampoo and cream butoxide shampoo and cream rinserinse- permethrin cream rinse 1% (Nix and - permethrin cream rinse 1% (Nix and Rid)Rid)

For further information…For further information…

US Department of Health and Human Services US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and (USDHHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Report (ATSDR) (2005): Disease Registry Report (ATSDR) (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdfhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdf

Call ATSDR at 1-800-42ATSDR (1-800-422-8737)Call ATSDR at 1-800-42ATSDR (1-800-422-8737) Email at Email at atsdric@cdc.govatsdric@cdc.gov U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lindane U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lindane

Assessment Memorandum (posted in 2003) Assessment Memorandum (posted in 2003) http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/linhttp://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/lindanememoassessment.pdfdanememoassessment.pdf