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Lindane

Lindane News Articles

Baltimore Sun August 14, 2006 article

1. Top 4 Reasons to Ban Lindane
1. Lindane is Dangerous to Human Health
2. Lindane is Dangerous to the Environment
3. Lindane Is Unecessary
4. Lindane is Irrelevant
2. Inform Fact Sheets ( right click and select save as to save)
1. What's Wrong with Lindane? (PDF)
2. Lindane-Free Lice Treatment (PDF)
3. Lindane-Free Scabies Treatment (PDF)
4. Lindane-Free Case Studies (PDF)
5. Risks of Lindane Alternatives (PDF)
3. Alternatives to Lindane
4. National Statement of Support
5. PSR Letter

EPA Announces Halt to Lindane for Ag Use

Risk to Children Remains through Pharmaceutical Products:

Groups Call for FDA, NYS to Ban All Use

( Albany ) EPA today announced the withdrawal of all agricultural products in the U.S. containing the pesticide lindane. Environmental health groups around the country  and in New York State applaud the step, but are critical of EPA’s claim to be the best agency in the world for pesticide regulation, and are calling for phaseout of the remaining uses of lindane.

All uses of lindane have already been banned in 52 countries around the world. Until today, the U.S. used up to 230,000 pounds of lindane yearly in seed treatment products, mostly on corn and wheat. The withdrawal allows continued use of existing stocks of lindane seed treatment products. Lindane use continues to be allowed for treatment of lice and scabies in pharmaceutical products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The phaseout of lindane’s agricultural uses is a long overdue step,” says Bobbi Chase Wilding, Associate Director of Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, “We’re pleased the U.S. is finally moving to join the rest of the international community that has already stopped using this harmful pesticide.  The FDA needs to follow suit so that no American is exposed to this highly toxic chemical.  Since FDA has thus far refused, we call on the NYS legislature to act now to protect our children.” 

“It’s about time we stopped using this long-lasting, neurotoxic pesticide,” says Kristin Schafer, Program Coordinator for Pesticide Action Network (PAN). “We’re pleased EPA has finally done the right thing – but this chemical linked to brain tumors and hormone disruption is still allowed in lotions and shampoos. We’re now asking for the public’s help to get FDA to withdraw lindane’s pharmaceutical uses.”

Pharmaceutical uses of lindane for lice and scabies have been banned in California since 2002, and legislation promoting similar bans is moving forward in other states including Michigan and New York.

“Lindane is no longer allowed on pets or seeds, why are we still allowing use on kids?” asks Laura McCarthy, Program Associate with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition in Albany, New York. “We don’t need lindane. There are safer, affordable, more effective treatments available.”

The New York State Legislature has bills (A.4162A and S.5619) pending in both houses.  The groups called on State leaders to protect New Yorkers and to not wait for the FDA.  The groups thanked Assemblymembers  Weisenberg,  Dinowitz, Ortiz, Perry, Espaillat, Arroyo, and Gottfried  and Senators, Flanagan, LaValle, and Marcellino for their leadership as sponsors of this state legislation.

Lindane is a known neurotoxin that can cause seizures, damage the nervous system, and weaken the immune system. Exposure may also cause cancer and disrupt the human and animal hormone systems.

“When I found out that lindane was the source of my sons illness, my emotions ran the gamut from fear, to guilt, to anger that the FDA would allow this toxic pesticide to be used on children,” said Pam LaBrake, a mother whose son suffers permanent effects due to lindane and who has been lobbying for the Lindane ban for the past eight years. “No other child and no other mother should have to suffer from exposure like this. A full ban of lindane in New York is a necessary next step.”

In an E&E News story, Jim Gulliford, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, explained why the agency chose to voluntarily cancel the chemical, stating that lindane "is recognized internationally as one of the most toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative pesticides ever registered."

The lindane news precedes the controversial announcement expected Thursday of EPA’s reregistration of more than 20 organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, despite strenuous objections voiced by thousands of EPA staff scientists who say these chemicals pose unacceptable risk to children’s health. In a news advisory released Tuesday, EPA highlighted lindane’s withdrawal (a 29 year process) and Thursday’s controversial reregistrations as evidence that “ U.S. pesticide safety is the highest in the world.” Public health and scientist advocacy groups staunchly disagree, and are calling for an end to industry pressure on EPA and FDA government scientists.

1. Memos of Support

• PANNA ( Pesticide Action Network of North America)
• INFORM 
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
• Ecology Center
• Parent's Against Lindane
• Headlice.org
• Nuvo for Head Lice( Alternative to Lindane using Cetaphil)