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Lindane: A Toxicological Profile Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdf. Uses of Lindane. Agricultural Pesticide …
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Lindane: A Toxicological ProfileSource: US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdf
Uses of Lindane • Agricultural Pesticide … • 1940s – registered as an agricultural insecticide and fumigant • regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency • Pharmaceutical … • 1951 – approved for medical use • Regulated by Food and Drug Administration
Lindane: “Restricted Use” Insecticide • This means… • It can only be applied by licensed and certified applicators • Amounts in drinking water restricted • Is a hazardous waste which must meet certain disposal requirements • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulates allowable workplace levels
More about Lindane as an Agricultural Insecticide … • Has not been produced in US since 1976 • Has been imported for use on fruits, vegetables and forest crops • Residue has been found in 189 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priority List (NPL) sites (out of a total of 1,662) • Is a persistent organic pollutant
More about Lindane as a Medication … • Obtained by prescription • Available as lotion, cream or shampoo • Used to treat scabies (mites) and lice in humans
Sources of Exposure to Lindane • The public • Ingestion: contaminated food and water • Inhalation: contaminated air • Absorption: contaminated soil and medical uses (creams, lotions or shampoos) • Workers • May be involved in the formulation of products using this chemical
Potential Adverse Effects of Lindane Exposures • Gastrointestinal: • Nausea and vomiting following ingestion, and occasionally dermal exposures • Neurological effects: • hyperexcitability, headaches, seizures, convulsions • can lead to death • Skin rashes from topical exposures • Other possible effects include (data limited): • hepatic toxicity • immune problems • Cancer
Some other Facts about Lindane • In 2006, EPA called for voluntary cancellation of agricultural uses of Lindane • In 2002, State of California banned pharmaceutical use – other states considering a ban or restriction • As of 2006, is banned in 52 countries, restricted in 33, not registered in 10, registered in 17 (including the US)
Preventing Adverse Effects of Lindane Medical Products • Never use on infants or on anyone weighing less than 50 kg (110 lbs) • Do not use on persons with seizure disorders • Use alternative treatments first • Keep out of the reach of children
Examples of Alternative Treatments for Lice and Scabies Scabies: - permethrin cream 5% (Acticine, Elimite, Nix) - crotamiton cream (Eurax) Lice: - malathion lotion 0.5% (Ovide, prescription only) - pyrethrum 0.33% with piperonyl butoxide shampoo and cream rinse - permethrin cream rinse 1% (Nix and Rid)
For further information… • US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Report (ATSDR) (2005): http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp43.pdf • Call ATSDR at 1-800-42ATSDR (1-800-422-8737) • Email at atsdric@cdc.gov • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lindane Assessment Memorandum (posted in 2003) http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/lindane/lindanememoassessment.pdf