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TRANSCRIPT
LINDANE
Authors: Ingrid Hauzenberger Federal Environment Agency Spittelauer Lände 5 A-1090 Wien, Austria Phone (+431) 31 304-5917 Fax (+431) 31304-5911 e-mail: [email protected] Barbara Perthen-Palmisano Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Stubenbastei 5 A-1010 Wien, Austria Phone (+431) 515 22-2321 Fax (+431) 515 22-7334 e-mail: [email protected]
Michael Herrmann
Federal Environmental Agency P.O.B 33 00 22 Tel. +49 (0) 30 8903 3221 Fax +49 (0) 30 8903 3232 e-mail: [email protected]
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Contents
1. Introduction _____________________________________________________________ 3
2. Chemical information _____________________________________________________ 3
2.1 Identity ____________________________________________________________________ 3
2.2 Physicochemical properties ___________________________________________________ 4
2.3 Classification (in the European Union) __________________________________________ 4
3. Production ______________________________________________________________ 5
4. Use of lindane____________________________________________________________ 9
4.1 Agriculture________________________________________________________________ 10
4.2 Biocidal Applications _______________________________________________________ 11
4.3 Public health and veterinary topical insecticide __________________________________ 12
4.4 Other areas of application ___________________________________________________ 13
4.5 Further Comments _________________________________________________________ 15
5. Alternatives for the use of lindane___________________________________________ 17
6. Regulatory actions _______________________________________________________ 17
7. Conclusion _____________________________________________________________ 21
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1. Introduction
In the framework of the UN-Economic Commission for Europe the Convention on Long
Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP-Convention) was elaborated and signed by 33
countries. Since 1979 this instrument for the reduction of air pollution via transnational efforts
was ratified by 48 countries. In the meantime several protocols to the LRTAP-Convention
were drawn up to specify the articles of the Convention. In 1998 the Protocol on Persistent
Organic Pollutants was signed in Aarhus. Under this Protocol, the parties agree to reassess
the production and use of lindane (see article 10 of the Protocol and the reassessment
clause in annexe II). An ad hoc expert group on the further assessment of POPs was ap-
pointed by the Working Group on Strategies and Review. At the second meeting of this
group, held in Torun, Poland in October 2001, Germany presented a draft report on lindane
that had been prepared as a background document for the OSPAR strategy with regard to
hazardous substances. Austria and Germany volunteered to prepare jointly an information
dossier on lindane, based partly on this report. Additionally a questionnaire taking into ac-
count the special uses of lindane which are mentioned in the Protocol was prepared and dis-
tributed in December 2001 to 50 Parties. The results of the questionnaire concerning produc-
tion and use were summarised in tables (see table 3-3 and 4-1), while the information on
national regulations is given for each country under the section "Regulatory actions".
The first draft of the dossier was circulated to members of the expert group for comments in
April 2002. Comments by France, the Netherlands and USA were received and taken into
account at the end of May 2002. The dossier was presented at the third meeting of the POPs
expert group in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2002. Comments made during this meeting
were incorporated in the current version.
2. Chemical information
2.1 Identity
Lindane is a colourless solid with a faint musty odour (pure material is odourless). Lindane
belongs to the chemical family of chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Common names: Lindane, gamma-HCH, gamma-BHC, gamma-benzene hexachloride
Chemical names: IUPAC: (1,2,4,5/3,6)- gamma stereo isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6,-
hexachlorocyclohexane
CA: 1�,2�,3�,4�,5�,6�-hexachlorocyclohexane
page 4/22
CAS: 58-89-9
EINECS: 200-401-2
Molecular formula: C6H6Cl6
Structural formula: see Figure 1.1
ClH
H
HCl
HHCl
ClClH
Cl
Fig. 1.1: Structural formula of lindane
Molecular weight: 290.82
Purity: The minimum content of Lindane for commercial use is usually equal or above
99.5 %. The value complies with the value set in the international specifications, e.g. FAO
4�/TC/S (1990)1.
2.2 Physicochemical properties
Lindane has a low vapour pressure and solubility in water and dissolves in most organic sol-
vents. Lindane is stable to light, air, heat and acids. Hydrolysis is negligible under neutral and
acid conditions. The octanol/water partition coefficient (logPow) is 3.5. Its flammability, explo-
sive or oxidising properties are not critical.
One evidence for the potential of long range transport are the measurements from 1992 to
1999 made in Lista at the southern coast of Norway, which show high concentrations of �-
HCH in air (approx. 25 - 120 pg/m3). The concentrations may be due to long range transport
from southern parts of Europe. According to Centre International d'Etudes du Lindane
(C.I.E.L, 19982), the average annual lindane consumption in Europe was 2130 tonnes during
the period from 1992 to 19973.
2.3 Classification (in the European Union)
Classification of lindane in force according to the 19th adaptation of Directive 67/548 EEC
(Directive 93/72/EEC).
1 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (1990): LINDANE - Specifications
for Plant Protection Products, FAO, Rome 2 C.I.E.L ( = Centre International d’Études du Lindane) is an association of lindane manufacturers created 3 Berg, T., Hjellbrekke, A-G., Larsen, R. (1999) Heavy metals and POPs within the EMEP region 1999. Norwegian Institute for Air Research.
page 5/22
Classification: T (toxic), Xi (irritating), N (environmentally dangerous)
R23/24/25: Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R36/38: Irritating to eyes and skin
R50/53: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment
3. Production
Historical
Global use of lindane is estimated to be 720 000 tonnes. Additionally, it is estimated that
55 000 tonnes of technical HCH are used world-wide 4. From data gathered within the ‘Pop-
cycling-Baltic’ project, BREIVIK ET AL. (1999) 5 suggest that a total of 382 000 tonnes of tech-
nical HCH (mixture of isomers) and 81 000 tonnes of Lindane were used in Europe from
1970 to 1996. Assuming a technical HCH pattern of 65 – 70 % �-HCH, 10 % �-HCH and
15 % �-HCH a cumulative use of 259 000 tonnes �-HCH, 20 000 tonnes �-HCH, and
135 000 tonnes �-HCH were estimated for this time period. Lower figures for global usage of
lindane where reported by Li et al. (1996): lindane dropped from 11 900 tonnes in 1980 to
8 400 tonnes in 1990.6 (It should be noted, however, that these figures are merely rough es-
timates based on total insecticide consumption).
The use of technical HCH was the major source of �-HCH until the late 1970s. Thereafter
lindane became the major source of this isomer. EU-Directive 79/117/EEC caused a ban of
technical HCH (< 99 % of �-isomer) in 1979 within EU Member States. At the same time cor-
responding measures were taken by the Nordic Countries in Europe. Some single data on
production and marketed volumes from literature are summarised in table 3-1.
4 Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report. 1997,
quoted in [http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/programs/Current_Programs/Health/LINDANE_e.htm] 5 BREIVIK, K.; PACYNA, J.M.; MÜNCH, J. (1999): Use of �-, �- and �-hexachlorocyclohexane in Europe 1970-1996. –
Sci. Total Environ. 239: 151-163. 6 Li, Y.F.A. McMillan and M.T.Scholtz (1996): Global HCH/Lindane usage with1°x1° longitude/latitude resolution.
Environ.Sci. Technol. 30:3525-33.
page 6/22
Tonnes per year Source
Import of Lindane to Germany (1994) 15,2 IUCLID (1994)
Export of Lindane from Germany (1994) 14 IUCLID (1995)
Production in Germany early 1980s 4 400 UBA (2001)
Production in Germany since 1990 none UBA (1998a)
Production world-wide 1986 approx. 38 000 IUCLID (1994)
World Production 1988-1993 4 400 UBA (1998a)
World Production 1990-1995 3 222 UBA (1998a)
Production in Western Europe in the 90s approx. 2 055 UBA (1998a)
Production in the EEC (1991) 1 000 – 5 000 RIPPEN (1990/2000) 7
Table 3-1: Figures on production and trade of Lindane before 1995 (all data quoted in a draft report prepared by
the German EPA for the Hazard Substances Committee of OSPAR Convention)
Starting from an estimated use of �-HCH around 7 900 tonnes per annum in Europe in 1970
its use declined to about 2 300 tonnes in 1996. According to C.I.E.L (quoted by BREIVIK ET
AL. 1999) the average annual lindane consumption in Europe was 2 130 tonnes from 1992 to
1997. France was a major user of lindane in Europe at that time with an annual average con-
sumption rate of 1 600 tonnes/yr. Rhone Poulenc in France and Inquinosa in Spain run the
last sites in the EU to close down production.
In the United States, estimates of annual usage of lindane between 1980 and 1990 show a
decrease from 268 to 114 tonnes/yr. During this same period, Canada's usage increased
from 200 to 284 tonnes/yr8.
Current situation
Lindane was widely used as an insecticide until the 1990s in almost all countries of the UN-
ECE. Thenceforth production as well as marketed volumes steadily decreased. A recent
questionnaire amongst UNECE members (in 2001) showed that according to the responding
countries any production discontinued sometime in the mid nineties (cf. summary of re-
sponses in table 3-3)9 . This set an end to most statistics on Lindane henceforth.
7 RIPPEN, G. (1990/2000): Umweltchemikalien: Stoffdaten, Prüfverfahren, Vorschriften. – Ecomed:
Landsberg/Lech; 3. Aufl., Loseblattsammlung, Aktualisierung 5/2000; ISBN 3-606-73210-5. 8 North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (April, 2000): Decision Document on Lindane 9 Some degree of uncertainty still exists for UK
page 7/22
As to historical production volumes there is a mixed state of affairs from the questionnaire.
Production definitely occurred in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Poland and
the U.S. The matter about production in the past remains unclear for Denmark, Monaco, the
Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Only rough estimates on years of produc-
tion and on produced volumes could be made available – if at all.
Since no ongoing production could be identified in 2001 for any of the UNECE regions it is
concluded that all continuing uses of lindane products are based either on imported active
substance or domestic stockpiles.
Germany, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the US declared that lindane is imported to their coun-
tries. Quantities imported are rarely given. Just Germany and the US dared to give estimates
for their country (cf. column D7 in table 3-3). Croatia interdicted the import of lindane from
2001 onwards.
Export of formulated products was indicated by the US and Germany. Table 3-2 reflects the
decreasing importance of lindane by amount of lindane exported from Germany in plant pro-
tection products.
year 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
metric tonnes/yr 34.766 14.719 1.037 0.828 0.002 0.002 0.002
Table 3-2: Volumes of lindane in plant protection products exported from Germany (until 1989 quantities only Western Germany)
In the US up to 2001 an estimated 500 metric tonnes (most of these to Canada) of lindane
that was included in pesticide products was exported. This volume dropped sharply to 25
tonnes in 2001, and further reduction is expected.
Lindane is not produced or manufactured in Canada10. In Latvia lindane was imported and
used during 1995 to 2000. Neither import nor use is reported after 200011.
10 http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/programs/Current_Programs/Health/LINDANE_e.htm 11 personal communication
page 8/22
Table 3-3: Information on the production and volume of lindane: part 1 of the questionnaire
D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 Question
Country Current
production
What
quantity?
Ever
produced?
Which
Year(s)?
Present
import
What
quantities?
Current
export
What
quantity?
ARMENIA No No Unknown No
Austria No No Unknown No
Belgium No No No No
Canada No No Yes Unknown
CROATIA No No No No
CZECH. REP. No Yes 1985 No No
DENMARK No Unknown No
FRANCE No Yes
FINLAND No No No No
GEORGIA No No Unknown No
GERMANY No Yes Unknown Yes < 1 t/a No
ITALY No No Unknown No
KAZAKHSTAN No No Unknown No
LATVIA No No No Unknown
MOLDOVA No No No No
MONACO No Unknown No No
NETHER-
LANDS
No Unknown No No
NORWAY No No No No
POLAND No Yes Until 1985 at a semi-technical
scale
No No
SLOVAKIA No No No No
SPAIN No Yes Not avail-able
Yes Not avail-able
No
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D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 Question
Country Current
production
What
quantity?
Ever
produced?
Which
Year(s)?
Present
import
What
quantities?
Current
export
What
quantity?
SWEDEN No No No No
SWITZER-
LAND
No Unknown Yes No
UK Unknown Unknown Yes Unknown
US No Yes Estimated from 1950s - 1970s
Yes Approx. 90 metric tonnes/a *
Yes ** 0-25 met-ric ton-
nes/a ***
* This number is based on the estimated amount of active ingredient used for lindane treated seed in the US. The amount used for public health purposes is not known (USEPA, 2001).
** Lindane is not currently manufactured in the US. The lindane active ingredient is imported into the US and formulated into pesticide products. Some of these pesticide products are exported (USEPA, 2002).
*** Until 2001, an estimated 500 metric tonnes of lindane that was included in pesticide products was exported. Beginning in 2001, the amount has dropped to approximately 25 tonnes . We expect this amount to drop significantly because of further reduced use of lindane products in other countries (USEPA, 2002).
Full wording of the questionnaire:
D2 Is lindane presently produced in your country? D6 Is lindane presently imported into your country?
D3 If YES in D2, in what quantity? D7 If YES in D6, in what quantity? D4 Was lindane ever produced in your country? D8 Is lindane currently exported from your
country? D5 If YES in D4, estimated years in which production
took place? (e.g., 19xx to 19xx) D9 If YES in D8, in what quantity?
4. Use of lindane Lindane is an insecticide which acts by contact, ingestion and fumigation. It has been used
on a broad range of applications among which the most important ones are in agriculture,
horticulture and forestry (for seed treatment and for control of a broad spectrum of phyto-
phagous and soil-inhabiting insects and as ectoparsiticide for livestock). Also its use as bio-
cide (e.g. preservation of wood, leather etc. and indoor application) and as medical or veteri-
nary treatment has been widespread.
page 10/22
4.1 Agriculture
Lindane was used in various crops and livestock. In the European Union by Commission
Decision 2000/801/EC of 20 December 2000 concerning the non-inclusion of lindane in An-
nex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC, the withdrawal of authorisations for plant protection
products containing this active substance started. Any period of grace for disposal, storage,
placing on the market and use of existing stocks of plant-protection products containing lin-
dane allowed by Member States was limited to a period of no longer than 18 months to allow
existing stocks to be used in no more than one further growing season. That means applica-
tion of lindane for agricultural uses in the EU are discontinued in mid 2002. In several Mem-
ber States authorisation of lindane products for agricultural applications expired already in
former years. Other countries in Europe, like Croatia, are preparing administrative proce-
dures for phasing-out of lindane for agricultural uses as well. Existing stockpiles have to get
used up in a limited time period.
Seed treatment involving lindane products is still practised in the US and in Canada and oc-
curred till approx. mid 2002 in the UK and Italy. Estimated volumes given for this purpose by
the US were approximately 90 tonnes per year, whereas also figures of 32 tonnes lindane
used for agriculture in 1992 were reported12. In Canada canola/rape seed claims were volun-
tarily removed from labels of registered seed treatment products containing lindane as of
December 31, 1999. Commercial stocks containing lindane cannot be used to treat ca-
nola/rape seed and lindane treated canola/rape seed cannot be used after July 1, 2001. An-
nual use has been estimated less than 550 tonnes active ingredient, more than 80 % of that
total has been attributed to the use on canola, which has been discontinued. Therefore, an-
nual use for seed treatment purposes is now expected to be significantly less. Canada in-
tends to phase out all uses of lindane under the Pest Control Products Act by December 31,
2004. The use of lindane for seed treatment in Armenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Kazakhstan
and the Republic of Moldova is unknown.
Non-aerial application to tree seedlings, small-scale lawn use, and indoor and outdoor use
for nursery stock and ornamentals was still practised to some extent in the UK (for small-
scale lawn) before July 2002. UK reports that at the time of signing the protocol no alterna-
tive for this purpose was available. No precise information was available from Armenia, the
Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova.
No country uses lindane any longer for soil applications directly followed by incorporation into
the topsoil layer, although the relevance for the use is unknown in Armenia, Czech Republic,
Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova.
12 North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (April, 2000): Decision Document on Lindane
page 11/22
4.2 Biocidal Applications
Lindane products have been used to enhance durability of materials like wood, leather, wool,
cotton etc. by protecting from insect infestation. The current list of biocidal substances com-
municated by the European Chemicals Industry to the Commission of the EU includes appli-
cations of lindane for purposes of wood preservation, preservation of liquid-cooling and proc-
essing systems, rodenticides and insecticides, acaricides and products to control other ar-
thropods. At present it is not predictable which of these product types will be supported in the
future under the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC. In this context (Review Regulation
1898/200013) companies are required to notify all existing active substances for which they
want to see continued use in biocidal products on the European market. The notification pe-
riod ends on 28 March 2002. A list of all notified substances will probably be publicly avail-
able by the end of 2002 or at the beginning of 2003.
3 responding countries (UK, France and Spain) specified the use of lindane in professional
remedial and industrial treatment of lumber, timber and logs as current. The situation re-
mains unclear for Armenia, Italy, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova. All other
answers stated no application for this type of use. Some reservation is expressed for Ger-
many: In 1990/1991 lindane containing products were voluntarily withdrawn from the market
by the German manufacturers. Since there is no obligation for approval of biocidal products
or a product register in Germany, some sort of “grey market” by importers may have been
established. Also in Austria lindane could theoretically still be on the market in wood pre-
servatives but it is assumed that this would not comply with the common practice.
In 4 countries (UK, France, Germany and Spain) lindane is used for indoor industrial and
residential applications. 15 countries report this use as obsolete. For Germany this must be
interpreted in such a way that, although being actually approved for official epidemics control
programs, the products are free on sale and may be used also for any other indoor applica-
tion. No data on shares are available. For UK all 'non-agricultural' products containing lin-
dane are undergoing revocation. The revocation periods for these products are for approval
for sale and advertisement (other than for purposes of disposal) to expire on 18/01/2002, for
supply, storage (other than for the purpose of disposal) and use to expire on 18/01/2003 and
for the purposes of disposal only approval for sale, advertisement, supply and storage to ex-
pire on 18/01/200414.
13 Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1896/2000 of7 September 2000 on the first phase of the programme referred
to in Article 16(2) of Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on biocidal products 14 Source HSE
page 12/22
4.3 Public health and veterinary topical insecticide
Lindane is used to control ectoparasites of humans (head lice, scabies) and of domestic
animals. In 9 countries lindane containing preparations are still allowed to be marketed for
these purposes: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK and
the US. Several scabicide and pediculicide products containing lindane are also registered in
Canada under the Food and Drug Act15. Sale and distribution of registered products has
been discontinued by the manufacturers for veterinary topical uses. No veterinary topical
insecticides containing lindane are registered in the US.
Although this products are allowed to be on the market some countries expressed their un-
certainty if the use of this products reflects adequately the current praxis.
11 countries reported this use as no more relevant. In 5 countries it is unclear if there is cur-
rent use. Armenia, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova indicated that no infor-
mation on this type of use could be made available in their countries.
According to literature development of head lice resistant to current therapies, including lin-
dane, permethrin and malathion, has become a world-wide problem. Resistance to or-
ganochlorine insecticides (e.g. lindane) has been observed in Great Britain, the Czech Re-
public, France, Canada, Denmark and the US16. Roos et al. (2001) reported, that resistance
to commonly used scabicides became also a major problem in recent years.
To a considerable extent, the law of the country dictates the prescribing pattern. E.g. in the
UK permethrin has replaced lindane which is no longer available17. Sale of lindane for head
lice and scabies will be prohibited in California in 2002 and according Meinking et al. (2000)18
there is no reason in the light of the poor pediculicidal and ovicidal activity for keeping lin-
dane on the market in the United States, where lindane resistance has been documented.
But some experts on epidemics deem lindane products to be an indispensable tool for safe
control of emerging resistant strains. Rotational therapy, using different agents, may help to
slow the emergence of resistance.19 Recommendations concerning the drug of choice should
depend on the local resistance patterns (Roos et al., 2001).
15 Database Health Canada [http://search.hc-sc.gc.ca/cgibin/query?pg=q&fmt=.&q=lindane] 16 Eichenfield, L.F., Colon-Fontanez, F. (1998): Treatment of head lice. Pediatr Infect Dis J 17(5) 419-20. 17 Roos, T.C., Alam, M., Roos, S., Merk, H.F. Bickers D.R. (2001): Drugs. 61(8) 1067-88. 18 Meinking, T.L., Entzel P., Villar M.E., Vicaria M., Lemard G.A. Porcelain, S.L. (2001): Comparative efficacy of
treatments for pediculosos capitis infestations: update 2000. Arch Dermatol 137 (3):287-92 19 Elston, D. M. (1999): What´s eating you? Pediculus humanus. Cutis 63 (5) 259-64.
page 13/22
4.4 Other areas of application
4 countries reported additional uses of lindane, whereas only Germany reported a use not
covered by previous questions. Based on a law for the prevention of epidemics lindane prod-
ucts are registered epidemics in Germany for officially ordered decontamination purposes
(e.g. refuse pits).
Table 4-1: Information on the use of lindane: part 2 of the questionnaire
D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17 D18 Question
Country
Current use
What quan-tity?
Seed treatment
Incorpora-tion in soil
Wood preservation
Public / animal health
Tree nurseries
etc.
Indoor application
Other types
ARMENIA Un-
known
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Austria Un-known
No No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
Yes No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
Unknown
Belgium No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
Canada app. 133
metric tones/a
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
Unknown No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
CROATIA Yes Esti-mates
not avail-able
No No No Yes No No No
Czech Re-
public
No Unknown Unknown No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
Unknown No longer
relevant
Unknown
Denmark No
FINLAND No
FRANCE Yes No
longer
relevant
No
longer
relevant
Yes Yes Yes Used in veter. medicine and other veter.products
GEORGIA No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
page 14/22
D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17 D18 Question
Country
Current use
What quan-tity?
Seed treatment
Incorpora-tion in soil
Wood preservation
Public / animal health
Tree nurseries
etc.
Indoor application
Other types
GERMANY Yes < 1 t/a No
longer
relevant
No
longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
Yes No
longer
relevant
Yes Restricted to outdoor use for pest con-trol on refuse pits (public health purposes)
ITALY Un-
known
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
Unknown No longer
relevant
Unknown Unknown Unknown
LATVIA No Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Kazakhstan No Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown No
MOLDOVA No Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
MONACO No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
NETHER-
LANDS
No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
NORWAY No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
POLAND No
SLOVAKIA No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
SPAIN Yes Not avail-able
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
Yes No
SWEDEN No No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
SWITZER-
LAND
Yes < 1 t/a No longer
relevant
No No Yes No No No
UK Yes Un-
known
Yes No
longer
relevant
Yes Yes Yes Yes Unknown
page 15/22
D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17 D18 Question
Country
Current use
What quan-tity?
Seed treatment
Incorpora-tion in soil
Wood preservation
Public / animal health
Tree nurseries
etc.
Indoor application
Other types
Yes Approx.
105 metric t/a *
Yes No longer
relevant
No longer relevant
Yes ** No longer
relevant
No longer
relevant
No
US
* This number is based on the estimated amount used for lindane treated seed planted in the US. The amount used for public health is less than 5 metric tonnes per year.
** Public health uses are for human lice and scabies only. No veterinary topical insecticides con-taining lindane are registered in the US.
Full wording in questionnaire:
D10 Is lindane currently used in your country? D11 If YES in D 10, in what quantity? D12 Use of lindane as seed treatment D13 Soil applications directly followed by incorporation into the topsoil surface layer D14 Professional remedial and industrial treatment of lumber, timber and logs D15 Public health and veterinary topical insecticide D16 Non-aerial application to tree seedlings, small-scale lawn use, and indoor and outdoor use
for nursery stock and ornamentals D17 Indoor industrial and residential application? D18 Other types of uses for lindane in your country? D19 If YES in D 18, please specify
4.5 Further Comments
AUSTRIA Lindane was used as insecticide in more than 100 plant protection products
against soil pests (e.g. wire-worms), weevils and barks. Most of the products
were phased out in the early 1990, although it was still used as seed dress-
ing till 1997. The amounts of lindane used in agriculture dropped from
17 tonnes in 1992, 2.3 tonnes in 1997 to zero in 1998. Lindane is used for
medical treatment in various products (source: Austria Codex 2000/2001).
2 products (Jacutin gel and Jacutin emulsion) are registered for the treatment
of scabies in humans. Currently 4 veterinary products are registered in Aus-
tria.
page 16/22
GERMANY Generally the application of lindane containing wood preservation agents
ceased by a voluntary initiative of industry. The last permitted wood preser-
vation agent was taken from the market in 1990/1991. Use of Lindan/DDT
containing products (Hylotox) for wood preservation used on the area of the
former GDR ceased in 1989/1990. However, there is -up to now- no general
obligation for authorisation of wood preservatives in Germany. This causes
an extensive “grey market” volume. It cannot be excluded that lindane con-
taining products are still imported/applied. The last authorisation of a lindane
– containing pesticide for agricultural use ceased at the 31.12.1997 (use for
control of wireworms (Agriotes spp.) - in maize and sugar beet.
Republic of
MOLDOVA
Lindane banned on 13.03.1991;
Lindane not included in the official register of permitted substances for use in
agriculture, including and individual farms, forestry and household; at the
same time in conformity with Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry data: -
use of Lindane in 1990 was 800 kg; use of Lindane in 1991 was 150 kg.
MONACO Use or lindane is forbidden in France since 1st July 1998. It is also forbidden
to put this product on the market in this country.
There is no regulation about lindane in Monaco. However, since France and
Monaco form a customs union, there is no possibility to buy lindane in Mon-
aco.
POLAND The use of HCH/lindane is not permitted in Poland.
Source of information: Information from the former producer.
SPAIN Lindane is not introduced in annex I of the Directive 91/414/CE related to
pesticides regulation (European legal framework: DOCE L 21-12-2000 Deci-
sion 2000/801/EC)
The use of HCH isomers other than �-HCH (Lindane) is banned in Spain
(Orden Ministerial, BOE 17-02-1994).
US The USEPA is in the process of considering the reregistration of lindane. The
preliminary risk assessments are published on the following website:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/lindane
HCH was banned in 1978, gamma HCH severely restricted, sale limited to
seed treatment and human lice and scabies control uses.
page 17/22
5. Alternatives for the use of lindane Alternatives for lindane were reported in part 3 of the questionnaire under D20 ("Specify use
e.g. agriculture, household, human or veterinary medicine, etc. and substitution product, if
available").
The following compilation gives a summary of the answers (from 5 responding countries) and
cannot be considered as a comprehensive list of available active substances used as alter-
natives for lindane.
Use Active substances Agriculture seed treatment pyrethroids, imidacloprid, fipronil, isofenphos
soil applications benfuracarb, furathiocarb, carbosulfan, aldi-
carb, terbufos
Public health permethrin, tetramethrin, pyrethrins, d-
phenothrin, malathion
Wood preservation pyrethroids, cypermethrin, permethrin
Household deltamethrin, organophosphates, car-
bamates Table 5-1: Summary of reported alternatives
6. Regulatory actions Canada
In Canada, plant protection products have to be authorised by the Pest Management Regula-
tory Agency according to the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Under the PCPA, the
sources of lindane have been restricted to those with modern acceptable chemistry data and
the registrants have voluntarily discontinued products for uses other than seed treatment.
The renewal period of products has been truncated since 1998. Products were renewed for a
one year term during the special review of lindane. Currently Canada intends to phase out all
use of lindane under the PCPA by December 31, 2004. Public health uses are not subject to
the PCPA.
US
The registrants for lindane have voluntarily cancelled all pesticidal uses except for seed
treatment. Seed treatment is limited for 6 to 7 crops. Lindane is also registered for public
health uses.
page 18/22
European Union
Lindane was part of the European Union’s review programme for pesticides according to Dir.
91/414/EC. Lindane was not included in Annex I of the Directive, that means that after a pe-
riod of grace lindane cannot be used as an active ingredient of a plant protection product.
During this period there are still some authorisations existent in single member states of the
EU. Directive 98/8/EC will regulate the use of lindane as a biocide.
Austria
Lindane (and/or HCH) is regulated by various national regulations:
BGBl. 577/1990: Prohibition of production, placing on the market or use of antifoulings con-
taining HCH
BGBl. 97/1992: In the context of the food law: prohibition of HCH (CAS 608-73-1, 319-84-6,
319-85-7, 58-89-9, 319-86-8) used for stock protection and pest control.
BGBl. 97/1992: Prohibition of HCH used as plant protection product. y-HCH can still be used
as seed dressing in arable cropping.
BGBl. 747/1995 idgF: Lays down the maximum acceptable residue level of HCH and lindane
in food stuff.
BGBl. II 375/1999: Use of lindane and HCH in cosmetic products is prohibited.
BGBl. 448/1991 idgF: Lays down the maximum acceptable concentration in drinking water.
BGBl. 292/2001: Regulations the occurrence and limits for lindane in compost.
Belgium
There are no current authorisations for lindane.
Denmark
Lindane is banned for all uses
Finland
The use of lindane as pesticide was restricted already in 1972 and banned in 1987. No wood
preservatives containing lindane have been authorised during the present authorisation sys-
tem (since 1989). Lindane containing products have not been authorised as medicine or vet-
erinary products.
page 19/22
Germany
Lindane is not generally banned but phased out for specific applications (use as antifouling,
application in mills, cereal stores and products from cereals, active ingredient in pesticide
preparations).
Italy
Commission Decision 2000/801/EC of 12/20/2000: non-inclusion of Lindane in Annex I of
Council Directive 91/414/EEC and the withdrawal of authorisations for plant-protection prod-
ucts containing this active substance, implemented in Italy by the Ministerial Order of
05/14/2001 (G.U. n.117 of 05/22/2001) (authorisation for production until 06/20/2001, au-
thorisation for sale until 03/31/2002, authorisation for use until 05/31/2002).
The national actions for the use of Lindane as biocides is under definition.
France (and Monaco)
Lindane is subject to limited authorisations for wood treatment, public health uses and indoor
industrial and residential uses. As Monaco forms a custom’s union with France the same
regulations apply to this country.
Netherlands
Lindane is banned according to the Pesticides Act.
Spain
Exports of lindane are subject to Reg. 2455/92 on the export and import of dangerous sub-
stances.
Sweden
Dir. 91/414/EEC is implemented in Sweden through the Swedish National Chemicals Inspec-
torate Regulation 1998:8 concerning Chemicals Products and Biotechnical organisms.
United Kingdom
Authorisations fur agricultural uses are still existent but will be withdrawn till June 2002 in line
with Decision 2000/801/EC.
page 20/22
Other European countries
Armenia
Lindane is banned.
Czech Republic
Lindane is banned.
Kazakhstan
Lindane is banned according to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Environmental
Protection. Storage, transport and deposition is regulated by the Instruction on State Control
for Storage, Usage and Utilisation and Transportation of Plants Protection Means and the
Instruction on the Procedure of Deposition or Destruction of Prohibited or Spoiled Pesticides
and Container where they were kept.
Latvia
Lindane is banned according to the Regulation Regarding Prohibited Plant Protection Prod-
ucts (Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 107; 21. 03.2000).
Republic of Moldova
As of 13 March 1993 Lindane is banned and it is not included in the official register of permit-
ted substances for use in agriculture, forestry and household. The Law on Regime of Harmful
Products and Substances regulates storage and transportation. The National Programme on
Production and Municipal Wastes Management, which includes some provisions concerning
the POPs-pesticides, was approved by the Government’s decision Nr. 606 from 28. 06.
2000, and published. The Government’s decision from 15 January 2001 “On Measures for
Centralising Storage and Disposal of Obsolete Unused and Prohibited Pesticides” focuses
on the management of obsolete and prohibited pesticides. According to the National Centre
of Preventive Medicine al lot of limit values for lindane exist (e.g. in food stuff, water, soil and
air).
Norway
The use of lindane was banned and the control action came into force by 1 January 1994.
Poland
According to the Pesticide Registration Bureau lindane is banned and not permitted to be put
on the market.
page 21/22
Slovakia
All uses of lindane are banned.
Switzerland
According to the Ordinance relating to Environmentally Hazardous Substances of 9 June
1986 (annex 3.1), the manufacture, supply, import and use of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH,
all isomers) is prohibited. The use of lindane for seed dressings and in pharmaceutical prod-
ucts is allowed. There is a proposal to ban the use for seed dressings, as it is no longer rele-
vant.
7. Conclusion Lindane was widely used as an insecticide until the 1990s in almost all countries of the UN-
ECE. Thenceforth production as well as marketed volumes steadily decreased. Any produc-
tion seemed to be discontinued sometime in the mid nineties. Since no ongoing production
could be identified in 2001 according to the responding countries of a survey for the UNECE
region it is concluded that all continuing uses of lindane products are based either on im-
ported active substance or domestic stockpiles.
Under the agreement of the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants lindane is restricted to
six uses, whereas two of them can be considered as not longer relevant: soil applications
directly followed by incorporation into the topsoil surface layer and non-aerial application to
tree seedlings, small-scale lawn use, indoor and outdoor use for nursery stock and ornamen-
tals. However it was not possible to obtain information about the relevance of this uses in
Armenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova.
Lindane was and is used as a seed dressing in crops. It is still used for this purpose in Can-
ada and US. UK and Italy phased out this use by 2002. Canada intends to determine the
application as seed treatment by 2004. The use of lindane for seed treatment is unknown in
Armenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova.
The current use for professional remedial and industrial treatment of lumber, timber and logs
is reported by UK, France and Spain. In UK all 'non-agricultural' products containing lindane
are undergoing revocation. The situation remains unclear for Armenia, Latvia, Kazakhstan
and the Republic of Moldova.
In 4 countries (UK, France, Germany and Spain) lindane is used for indoor industrial and
residential applications. For Armenia, Italy, Latvia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Moldova
the use of this type of application is reported as unknown.
page 22/22
Within the European Union lindane might be evaluated as wood preservative and as insecti-
cide under the Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC. A official list of all notified active sub-
stances will be published by the European Communion at the latest in the beginning of 2003.
Lindane is also used to control ectoparasites of humans (head lice, scabies) and of domestic
animals. For these purposes lindane containing preparations are allowed to be marketed in
Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, UK and US (no
veterinary topical insecticides). The situation is unclear for Armenia, Latvia, Kazakhstan and
the Republic of Moldova. According to literature, development of head lice resistant to cur-
rent therapies (including lindane, permethrin and malathion) has become a world-wide prob-
lem. Rotational therapy, using different agents, may help to slow the emergence of resis-
tance. With respect to human health, Germany reported a use of lindane for pest control on
e.g. refuse pits based on the law for the prevention of epidemics.
It seemed that alternatives for a broad range of application of lindane are available.