AB 2318 (Lowenthal)

Prohibition on Use of Lindane to Treat Head Lice and Scabies

  What is lindane?

Lindane is an organo-chlorinated pesticide in the same chemical family as DDT.  It has been listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemical, meaning that it lingers for a long period in the environment, moves up the food chain, and is toxic to humans and wildlife.  Lindane is also a priority pollutant, a hazardous material, and a Bioaccumulative Chemical of Concern.

What is lindane used for?

Lindane is used in a prescription shampoo, often called Kwell, to treat head lice.  It is also used in a prescription cream to treat the skin mite scabies.  In both of these applications, lindane is applied directly to the human body.  Other uses of lindane have been highly restricted in California.  It is used as an insecticide on seeds and some plants, but may only be applied by certified pesticide applicators.  It may not be applied to animals.

Can lindane-containing products cause injury?

Lindane is a highly potent nerve toxin that is readily absorbed through the skin.  Even when used exactly as directed for head lice or scabies treatment, lindane can cause seizures.  Labeling information on lindane indicates “Seizures and, in rare instances, death have been reported after excess dosage, over-exposure, frequent reapplications, and accidental and intentional ingestion of lindane.”  Because parents often panic when faced with cases of head lice or scabies in their children, instances of misuse are all too common. The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that lindane can cause liver and kidney damage, immune system damage, toxicity to the central nervous system, and even death.  Lindane is known to cause liver cancer in animals and is considered a possible human carcinogen.

How many people have been injured by lindane?

The National Pediculosis Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to head lice and scabies education, has set up a database on head lice and scabies outbreaks and treatment.  This database has collected over 500 adverse event reports related to the use of lindane in the 24 months it has been in existence.  Reported injuries include seizures, brain damage, and birth defects.

How does lindane from head lice and scabies treatment get into the environment?

Lindane shampoos and creams are rinsed off after use in the sink or shower.  When lindane goes down the drain, it makes its way through the sewer to a wastewater treatment plant.  Since lindane is not removed well in wastewater treatment plants, it passes through to downstream creeks, rivers, lakes, and the ocean.  Lindane is so toxic that the allowable limit for lindane in drinking water sources is 19 parts per trillion.  To put this number in perspective, a single treatment of lindane to kill head lice or scabies pollutes 6 million gallons of water. 

Where in California are environmental problems being caused by lindane?

Sewerage agencies that serve the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, the Inland Empire, and the City of Woodland all have excessive amounts of lindane entering their systems.  Together these agencies serve 11 million people, representing over 30% of California’s population.  More sewerage agencies are expected to be impacted as new, more stringent water quality standards take effect.

How can lindane be stopped from entering the environment?

Since lindane usage is restricted, the treatment of head lice and scabies represents essentially the only source of lindane to sewerage systems.  The only way to stop lindane from entering sewers and thus water bodies is to stop medical usage of lindane.  Otherwise, very costly treatment will have to be installed to remove lindane.  The average cost to remove lindane from a single head lice or scabies treatment out of wastewater at a treatment plant is estimated at $4000.