Lindane Fact Sheet

Source of Exposure

Lindane has been used widely as a grain fumigant and for pest control in lumber products. Lindane can be found as an active ingredient in pet shampoos. All of the BHC isomers are readily absorbed through the lung, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. The predominant form stored in the body is the beta isomer. This product was marketed under the names of Agrocide, Ambrocide, Benesan and Benexane.

Symptoms

Lindane toxic effects include aplastic anemia and epileptic seizures. Acute exposure may cause nausea, dizziness, tremors, and convulsions and loss of consciousness. These poisons are absorbed across the gut and interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses. This neurologic interference can produce weakness, apprehension, excitability and disorientation in an exposed patient. Additional symptoms may be irregular or depressed respiration as well as myocardial irritability. Many forms of the pesticide may be delivered in petroleum solvents that may contribute to respiratory depression upon exposure.

Blood Concentrations

Evidence of Lindane exposure is primarily found in the form of the beta-BHC isomer and heptachlor epoxide. Serum concentration for beta-BHC average 0.8 PPB in the general population (EHS data). Beta-BHC is present and is above detectable limits in approximately 70% of the general population.

Toxic Levels

Neurologic abnormalities and EEG changes were noted when workers had serum levels of lindane approaching 20 PPB (Czegledi Janko, 1970). The mean fatal dose for lindane in adults is approximately 28g.(Baselt, 1982). Individuals who have been sensitized may manifest negative health effects at concentrations well within the ranges considered safe for the average population.

Metabolism

Lindane is rapidly metabolized in man by oxidation and dehydrohalogenation to chlorinated phenols which are excreted in the urine. The half life for alpha and delta forms of lindane is approximately 21 hours in the body. Beta-BHC is highly lipid soluable and has a long half-life which makes a good finger-print for exposure.

Summary

Classification:   Chlorinated Pesticide
Population Average (Beta-BHC):   0.8 PPB
Frequency Per 100 (Beta-BHC):   67.9%
Onset of Symptoms:   20 PPB
Death:   Data not available
Half Life:   21 hours
IDLH:   1000 mg/m3
LD5O:   76 mg/kg

References

-Angerer, J., Heinrich, R. and Laudehr, H. "Occupational exposure to hexachlorocyclohexane. V. Gas chromatographic determination of monohydroxychlorobenzenes (chlorophenols) in urine", Int Arch Occ Env Health 48: 319-3249 1981.

-Baselt, R.C., Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 2nd Ed. Davis, CA: Biomedical Publications, 1982.

-Baumann, K., Angerer, J., Heinrich, R., and Lehnert, G. "Occupational exposure to hexachlorocyclohexane. 1. Body burden of HCH-isomers", Int Arch Occ Env Health 47: 119-127, 1980.

-Committee on Toxicology, An Assessment of the Health Risks of Seven Pesticides Used for Termite Control, Washington, D.C: National Academy Press, 1982.

-Czegledi-Janko, C. and Avar, P. "Occupational exposure to lindane: clinical laboratory findings", Brit J Ind Med. 27: 283-286, 1970.

-Cueto, C. Jr., and Birow, F.J. "Chlorinated insecticides and related materials in human urine", Tox Appl Pharm. 10: 261-269, 1967.

-Dale, W.E.9 Curley, A. and Cueto, C. Jr. "Hexane extractable chlorinated insecticides in human blood", Life Sci 5: 47-54, 1966.

-Danopoulos, E., Mellissinos, K. and Katsas, G. "Serious poisoning by hexachlorocyclohexanell,, Arch Ind Hyg Occ Med. 8: 582-587, 1983.

-Davignon, L. F., St. Pierre, J. , Charest, G. , and Tourangeau, F. J. "A study of the chronic effects of insecticides in man", in Canadian Med Assoc. 92: 507-602, 1965.

-Ginsburg, C.M., Lowry, W. and Reisch, J.S. "Absorption of lindane (gamma benzene hexachloride) in infants and children", J Pediat. 91: 998-1000, 1977.

-Harris, C.R., and Sans, W.W. "Pesticides in soil", Pest Monitoring J. 5: 259-267, 1971.

-Hayes, W.J. Jr., and Vaughn, W.K. "Mortality from pesticides in the United States in 1973 and 1974". Tox Appl Pharm. 42: 235-252, 1977.

-Hoffman, W.S., Adler, H., Fishbein, W.I. and Bauer, F.C. "Relation of pesticide concentration in fat to pathological changes in tissues", Arch Env Health 15: 758-765, 1967.

-Loge, J.P. "Aplastic anemia following exposure to benzene hexachloride (lindane)", J Am Med Asso. 193: 110-114, 1965.

-Milby, T.H., Samuels, A.J. and Ottoboni, F. "Human exposure to lindane: blood lindane levels as a function of exposure", J Occ Med.10: 584-587, 1968.

-Morgan, D.P., Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 3rd Ed., United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA-540/9-80-005, Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, January, 1982.

-Morgan, D.P., Stockdale, E.M., Roberts, R.J. and Walter, A.W. "Anemia associated with exposure to lindane". Arch Env Health 35: 307-310, 1980.

-Radomski, J. L. Deichmann, W.B., Rey, A.A. and Merkin, T. "Human pesticide blood levels as a measure of body burden and pesticide exposure", Tox Appl Pharm. 20: 175-185, 1971.

-Seba, D.B., Milam, M.J. and Laseter, J.L. "Uptake, measurement and elimination of synthetic chemicals by man", in Borstoff, J. and Challacombe, S.J. (Eds.), Food Allergy and Intolerance, London: Bailliere Tindall, 1987.

-Starr, H.G. Jr. and Clifford, N.J. "Acute lindane intoxication", Arch Env Health 25: 374-375.

-Tocci, P.M., Mann'. J.B., Davies, J.E., Edmundson, W.F. "Biochemical differences found in persons chronically exposed to high levels of pesticides", Ind Med. 38: 40-47, 1969.

-West, I. "Lindane and hematologic reactions", Arch Env Health 15: 97-101, 1967.