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Lindane Facts: The Truth About Lindane

Points of View on Lindane

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted a number of extensive reviews of the safety of lindane over the past three decades. Based on its most recent review of the scientific evidence, the EPA has concluded that the use of lindane medications in accordance with current product labeling for the treatment of scabies and lice poses no significant safety risks to the public or the environment.1,2 Information on the EPA’s decision not to reregister agricultural-grade lindane seed treatment products can be found at: (See Points of View on Agricultural Lindane: EPA RED).

The EPA has determined no significant safety risks with proper medical use of lindane prescription therapies

The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. The EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education, and assessment efforts. In contrast to the FDA, the EPA does not take into account the health benefits of a drug when assessing its safety nor does it have the jurisdictional authority to regulate and approved medications for human use. (See Points of View on Lindane: FDA)

EPA Assessment of Lindane Medications

Human health assessment of lindane shampoo for lice:1

“The Agency does not believe that lindane pharmaceutical products used for treatment of lice pose human health risks of concern, when used in accordance with directions provided on the label.” (EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision on Lindane, see page 55)

Revised human health assessment of lindane lotion for scabies:2

“Given anticipated label changes [now in place], use in accordance with the revised label would eliminate risks to young children (<60 kg).” (EPA Revised Assessment on Lindane)

Lindane medications and drinking water

“[T]he Agency does not have risk concerns for concentrations of lindane in surface water used as a source of drinking water from consumer use for both lice and scabies treatments.”1 (EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision on Lindane, see page 55)

Further Reading

For additional information about the EPA’s viewpoint on lindane, please visit http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/lindane/.

Please See Important Safety Information on Lindane

References:

  1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lindane Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED). 2002. Available at: http://www.lindane.com/pdf/lindane_epa_2002.pdf.
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Revised Assessment of Risk from Use of Lindane for Treatment of Lice and Scabies. July 31, 2002. Available at: http://www.lindane.com/pdf/EPA-Revised_Assessment-2002-07-31.pdf.