"The future will depend on our wisdom not to replace one poison with another." |
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Lindane and Birth Defects Lindane - g-HCH [hexachlorocyclohexane], is
included in the government "Red List" of dangerous substances. It has
been in use as an broad range insecticide for 50 years, long enough to build up
a significant body of evidence on its toxic and environmental hazards. It has
caused deaths and poisonings in humans and there is authoritative recognition of
its long term health effects including carcinogenic effects. It is a serious
environmental contaminant and as well as being directly toxic to wildlife. It
bio-accumulates along food chains. Scientific and anecdotal evidence links
lindane with serious health problems including aplastic anaemia, the birth
disorders C.H.A.R.G.E. and breast cancer. Teratogenic Agents in Human Beings Lindane and Other Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/cmla.htm Scabies and lice occur commonly in pregnancy, especially where there are other school-going children in the family. Lindane is contra-indicated. In animal studies, high doses of lindane have been associated with an increased number of stillbirths. Phocomelia has been described with first trimester exposure to lindane in human pregnancy. Teratogenicity The developmental period that accounts for most defects is the first trimester. Chemicals under suspicion include pesticides, metals, and long-lived lipophilic chemicals like the chlorinated hydrocarbons. Limb Reduction Defects LRDs have been linked to prenatal exposure to several drugs and/or chemicals including anti-seizure medications, antihistamines, antinausea medications, sedatives and pesticides. http://web.indstate.edu/thcme/honors/anatomy.html Also see: |
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Lindane Education And Research Network
is a project of the National Pediculosis Association® (NPA) |