Chemical name: Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachloro-, (1.alpha.,2.alpha.,3.beta.,4.alpha.,5.alpha.,6.beta.)- Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Pesticide Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action: All uses and formulations of the chemical are prohibited. Pesticide use or uses that remain allowed: None The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: No Summary of the final regulatory action: Lindane was excluded from the list of active substances authorized for use in plant protection products in 1991 under the Law on protection of plants against pests and blights. It has prohibited to production, use and place on the market all plant protection products containing Lindane since 2003, according to annual adopted list of active ingredients banned for use in plant protection products under the lant Protection Act. Lindane is designated as a PIC chemical. (Annex I of the Regulation on the import and export of certain dangerous chemicals on the Bulgarian territory). The import and use of the chemical for research or laboratory purposes in quantities less than 10 kg are allowed. The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment Summary of known hazards and risks to human health: Lindane is an organochlorine insecticide. It is moderately toxic and can be moderately hazardous for human beings, if incorrectly or carelessly handled. It is rather persistent in the environment. It is therefore essential that the correct precautions should be observed in the handling and use of the compound. Symptomatology included: nausea, restlessness, headache, vomiting, tremor, ataxia, tonic-clonic convulsions, and/or changes in the EEG pattern. It can be concluded from a few acute and short-term studies on human beings, that a dose level of approximately 1.0 mg/kg body weight does not induce poisoning, but that a dose level of 15-17 mg/kg body weight will result in severe toxic symptoms. Approximately 10% of a dermally applied dose is absorbed through the human skin, but more is absorbed when the skin is damaged. Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health: To reduce exposure of the chemical and the associated risks to human health. Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment: Lindane may pose a toxic hazard for aquatic and terrestrial species. It may enter the food chain and give rise to bioaccumulation and biomagnification, specifically in fish; it is also rather persistent in the environment. In the event of a major environmental contamination incident, appropriate monitoring should be carried out. Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment: To avoid and reduce exposure, hazards and risks of the chemical to the environment. Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 01/04/2003 |