"The future will depend on our wisdom not to replace one poison with another." |
Common Name: Lindane
CAS Number: 58-89-9
DOT Number: NA 2761
Date: July, 1988
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Lindane can affect you when breathed in and by passing through
your skin.
* Lindane should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME
CAUTION.
* Overexposure can cause irritability, restlessness, anxiety,
poor appetite, and headache. Higher levels can also cause
muscle twitching, convulsion (fits) and even death.
* It also may damage the developing fetus and reduce fertility
in females.
* Repeated overexposure may cause liver damage.
IDENTIFICATION
Lindane is a colorless solid with a musty odor. It is an
organochlorine insecticide.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Lindane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NTP, DEP and EPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is a CARCINOGEN.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3
averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
* Lindane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe
level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be
reduced to the lowest possible level.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Lindane and at
the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of Lindane to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
effects described below.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Lindane:
* Overexposure by skin contact or breathing can cause
restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, poor appetite
and/or headache. Higher exposures can also cause muscle
twitching, seizures, convulsions or "fits" and even death.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Lindane and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* Lindane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown
to cause liver, lung, endocrine glands and other types of
cancer in animals.
* There is limited evidence that Lindane is associated with
leukemia in humans.
* Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to
a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for
causing reproductive damage in humans.
Reproductive Hazard
* Lindane may damage the developing fetus.
* Lindane may decrease fertility in females.
Other Long Term Effects
* Repeated overexposure may damage the liver or cause damage to
the nerves of the arms and legs, possibly with weakness and
poor coordination.
* Exposure may also cause a serious drop in the blood cell count
(aplastic anemia) or in the white blood cell count
(agranulocytopenia).
MEDICAL TESTING
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are
recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
* Exam of the nervous system.
* Complete blood count (CBC).
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
also be useful:
* Blood test for Lindane (may not be accurate longer than 1 week
after last exposure).
* Liver function tests.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to
this information under OSHA 1910.20.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly
toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
* Where possible, automatically transfer Lindane from drums or
other storage containers to process containers.
* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this
chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document:
"Occupational exposure during the Manufacture and Formulation
of Pesticides #78 174".
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Lindane should
change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Lindane.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Lindane, immediately wash or shower to
remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any
areas of the body that may have contacted Lindane, whether or
not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Lindane is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. DO
NOT DRY SWEEP.
* When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA)
filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with Lindane. Wear protective gloves and
clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide
recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material
for your operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
Eye Protection
* Wear dust proof goggles and face shield when working with
powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection
is worn.
Respiratory Protection
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should
only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into
account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training,
respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA
1910.134.
* Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.5 mg/m3, use
a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full
facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a
full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode,
or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or
other positive pressure mode.
* Exposure to 1000 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and
health. If the possibility of exposures above 1000 mg/m3
exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or
other positive pressure mode.
Common Name: Lindane
DOT Number: NA 2761
DOT Emergency Guide code: 55
CAS Number: 58-89-9
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated
REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated
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POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Phosgene and
Hydrogen Chloride.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Lindane is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until cleanup is complete.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Lindane as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for
specific recommendations.
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FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
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HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Lindane you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Lindane must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG ALKALIS
and POWDERED METALS since violent reactions occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated
area.
FIRST AID
POISON INFORMATION
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
Skin Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water.
Shampoo hair thoroughly if contaminated.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
PHYSICAL DATA
Water Solubility: Insoluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6 Hexachloro , (1alpha, 2alpha, 3beta,
4alpha, 5alpha, 6beta)
Other Names and Formulations:
Benzene Hexachloride; Kwell R; gamma BHC Benhexachlor.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Lindane is an organochlorine insecticide which has been used
against insects in a wide range of applications. It has been used
to treat animals, buildings, humans for ectoparasites; clothes;
water for mosquitoes; living plants, seeds, and soils. It may
enter the environment from industrial discharges, insecticide
applications, or spills.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
Lindane has high acute toxicity to aquatic life and to birds.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-
term effects of Lindane to plants or land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic
chemical.
Lindane has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient
data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of
Lindane to plants, birds or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Lindane is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between
1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Lindane is moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of
between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount
of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
About 52.3% of Lindane will eventually end up in water; about 23.4%
will end up in terrestrial soil; about 22% will end up in aquatic
sediments; and about 2.3% will end up in air.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of Lindane found in fish tissues is expected to
be somewhat higher than the average concentration of Lindane in the
water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/facts/lindane.htm
LINDANE STATUSWe have received many inquiries recently on the status of the 1% lindane. As a result, we are printing the message which was sent out regarding the turn-in of the lindane stocks.PRIORITY/ROUTINE P R 141800Z APR 94 FM DGSC RICHMOND VA//STAC//QED// UNCLAS SUBJECT: AFPMB NOTICE ON INSECTICIDE, LINDANE DUSTS1. Reference: Armed Forces Pest Management Board/AFPMB/letter, 25 March 1994/Not to all/. 2. Addresses are responsible for dissemination of this message to all lateral and subordinate units, maintenance activities, elements or foreign users affected or concerned. Include DGSC, Richmond, VA/STAC as info addressee on all retransmitted messages. This is a coordinated DGSC-S/Q message. 3. All service inventories of NSN 6840-00-242-4217, 1 percent lindane in 2 oz containers shall be turned in to the local DRMO for disposal. NSN was cancelled 1 January 1993. No DOD requirements exist. DGSC does not have this NSN in our inventory. 4. All DLA and service inventories of NSN 6840-00-242-4219, 1 percent lindane in 25 lb. drum also shall be turned in to the local DRMO for disposal. Action has been initiated to cancel NSN without replacement. 5. The rationale for these actions is threefold. First, DOD is changing the treatment procedures for mass delousing: The indiscriminate application of lindane, without first determining whether individuals are infested with lice, is not a sound pest management practice. Second, although lindane is currently registered by the environmental protection agency, it is a very persistent pesticide in the environment and it is categorized as a "B2" carcinogen/probable carcinogen based on animal studies. Finally, discontinuing used of lindane is consistent with pesticide risk reduction goals established by the Defense Environmental Security Council. 6. These actions are mandatory. DOD Directive 4150.7 and DOD Directive 6050-10 provides the AFPMB the authority for this turn in and disposal. 7. If you have questions concerning these actions, please contact Mr. Clifford Myers, DGSC-STAC, Chemist, DSN 695-3995 or 804-279-3995 or LtCol Bob McKenna at DSN 291-5191 or 301-427-5191. http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/bulsep94.htm
LAUNDERING PESTICIDE CONTAMINATED CLOTHINGThe following information was printed in the Pesticide Control Report, published by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy. We think the information is worth repeating here in our Bulletin. Pesticides are necessary tools in pest management but, like any other tool, they can be dangerous when mishandled or when accidents occur. Drift, accidental spills, or carelessness can cause pesticide contact with the user or his/her clothing. This clothing is then considered contaminated. If pesticides get on your clothing, change clothes as soon as possible. Don't wait until the end of the day or until you've finished the job. If you continue to wear pesticide-contaminated clothing, the pesticide residue could be absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream, where it could cause serious health problems. When you handle pesticide-contaminated clothing, always wear unlined waterproof gloves. Also, thoroughly clean washers after laundering contaminated clothing. This means that after every load of pes- ticide-contaminated clothing, run the machine through a complete cycle with hot water and detergent only. This simple step requires a little extra time, but studies show that it will help to prevent contaminating future wash loads. Before bringing contaminated clothing into the shop, decide whether you can launder it thoroughly or if you should discard the clothing. Discard clothing saturated with highly toxic, undiluted pesticide formulations, such as emulsifiable concentrates. Dispose of the clothing by placing it in a plastic bag, closing the bag tightly, and disposing of it in an approved sanitary landfill. Never take pesticide contaminated clothing home to be laundered in the family washing machine. Launder ONLY clothing contaminated with water-soluble low-toxicity pesticides. Discard contaminated leather items, such as watchbands, gloves, and boots. You cannot decontaminate leather items. When these items are worn again and become wet, the pesticide residue could become active again and could cause a rash or sores. Never handle pesticide-contaminated clothing with your bare hands. To avoid dermal exposure, always wear unlined waterproof gloves. Wash the gloves off thoroughly before removing them and use them for this purpose only. Test gloves for leaks by filling them with water and gently squeezing. Discard gloves as soon as they develop a leak. On a daily basis, launder clothing worn during pesticide applications, Pesticide residues in clothing can build up and become more difficult to remove. If you must store contaminated clothing before laundering, hang them in an area not used by you or your co-workers, and where air movement will help dissipate or remove some of the pesticide. Because pesticide residues could be transferred to other clothing in the wash load, always launder contaminated clothes separately. This will help prevent contaminating clothing worn by other workers. Research at North Dakota State University shows that prerinsing is a very important step. It not only reduces the amount of pesticide in contaminated clothing before laundering, but it also minimizes contamination of laundry equipment, which could then contaminate clothing in future wash loads. Empty pockets and cuffs of any pesticide granules outdoors, and discard them safely. In a bucket or pail, prerinse contaminated clothing in hot or warm water at least twice. Because pesticide formulations usually contain some detergent, it is not necessary to add detergents when prerinsing. Dispose of prerinse water as a pesticide-related waste. Launder only a few (three or four) contaminated garments at a time. Use a full water level to thoroughly flush the pesticide from the fabric. This also decreases the possibility of redepositing pesticide residue on fabric. Wash together only garments contaminated with the same pesticide. Hot (140 F) water is most effective in removing pesticide residues from clothing. Cold water is least effective. Use a normal 12-minute wash cycle. Select detergents according to the type of pesticide that contaminated the clothing. Research has shown that heavy-duty detergents, such as Era and Wisk , are more effective than other detergents in removing emulsifiable concentrate pesticide formulations. Emulsifiable concentrate formulations are oil-based and heavy- duty liquid detergents are known for their oil-removing ability. Research shows that granular detergents such as Tide , Oxydol , and Cheer, are effective in removing water-soluble pesticides. If it is not possible to determine the pesticide formulation, use a heavy-duty detergent. Results to date show that neither bleach nor ammonia aid in the removal of pesticide residues. You may wish to use them to remove other types of soil or stains, but never mix them together. In combination, they react to form a fatal chlorine gas. For more effective removal of pesticide residue, repeat the wash cycle several times. Line dry laundered garments outdoors. This eliminates the possibility of pesticide residue collecting in the dryer where it could contaminate clothes in future loads. Sunlight and air movement help to decontaminate any pesticide residue not removed during laundering. If you must use a clothes dryer, wipe the dryer with a damp cloth after each load, and then discard the cloth. Laundering pesticide-contaminated clothing correctly must be an important activity of any pest management operation. Now would be a good time to evaluate how your pest management activity launders clothing contaminated with pesticides. |
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