Lindane Information

DECISION ANNOUNCED ON LINDANE

EPA will revoke all existing lindane tolerances because the lindane uses for which those tolerances were originally established have been canceled. Lindane is currently used in the U.S. as a pre-plant seed treatment for barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, and wheat.

Lindane also is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription pharmaceutical use in shampoos and lotions to treat lice and mites (scabies) in humans.

Risks from exposure to lindane in food and drinking water are low, including risks to indigenous peoples of certain regions of Alaska who rely heavily on game for food. Such game may contain residues of lindane due to this pesticide's potential for long-range atmospheric transport. Worker risks are low for commercial and on-farm liquid seed treatment of all six crops, provided engineering controls are utilized. Risks of concern for on-farm dust treatment will be mitigated by discontinuing use on barley, oat, rye, and wheat seeds, and allowing corn and sorghum seed treatment with specified additional personal protective equipment (PPE).

Based on EPA's current understanding of available data, lindane shampoo products used for head lice treatment do not pose human health risks of concern when used according to label directions. The Agency could not conclude, however, that lindane lotions used for scabies treatment result in acceptable exposure and risk. FDA will implement a number of measures to reduce misuse and risks from use of lindane pharmaceutical products.

EPA's review of lindane was conducted with extensive input from USDA, FDA, other stakeholders, and the public through the Agency's public participation process. The Lindane RED, approved by EPA on July 31, 2002, risk assessments, and related documents will be available on EPA's website at Lindane RED. The Federal Register notice announcing the Lindane RED will be available at Federal Register notice of Lindane RED . EPA will request public comment on the RED for 60 days following publication of the Federal Register notice.

This announcement was issued 05 Aug 02