LINDANE FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT GENERAL INFORMATION Synonyms: • Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane: Gamma HCH; Gamma-benzene hexachloride • Trade names: Forlin; Gammaphex; Gammex; Isotox; Lacco: Kwell; Lindagam; Lin-O-Sol; Novigam; Silvanol; Exagamma; Lintox, etc. • Component of: Agrox-3-Way; Gammatin; Isopro: Granol NM, etc. Chemical Description: • Insecticide which is a member of the chemical family of chlorinated hydrocarbons Properties: • Colorless crystalline solid with a musty odor • Slightly soluble in water • Low vapor pressure Production and Use: • Most uses were restricted in 1983, and is currently used primarily for treating wood inhabiting beetles and seeds • Also used for soil treatment, foliage application on fruit and nut trees, vegetables, timber, ornamentals, and wood protection ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE Occurrence: • Monitoring surveys of public water supplies have reported lindane levels ranging from non-detected" to 0.002 mg/L; actual levels in public water supplies are generally much lower due to rapid volatilization from surface waters and soil • Results of the EPA's 1990 National Pesticide Survey (NPS) indicate that lindane is present in rural domestic wells nationwide above the MCL of 0.0002 mg/L, but was not detected in any Community Water System (CWS) wells • May be a common contaminant in areas af high usage Releases: • Enters surface water as a result of runoff from agricultural land ana from home/garden applications • May enter ground water from direct entry into a well through accidental chemical spills or improper storage near a well Environmental Fate: • Persistent In both soil and water • may volatilize from shallow, turbulent surface waters, but not from deep or stagnant surface waters or ground water • not likely to biodegrade nor hydrolyze in most surface waters • low mobility in soil and moderately resistant to leaching from soils: low potential to migrate to ground water • primarily removed from soil by volatilization: will volatilize from the soil surface and at shallow depths, but is not likely to volatilize at deeper depths • Moderate potential for bioaccumulation HEALTH EFFECTS Humans: • Case reports of excessive dermal or oral intake indicate that the acute effects include alterations in the nervous system: • may produce vomiting, faintness, tremors, restlessness, muscle spasms, unsteady gait, seizures, and uncontrollable eye movements: coma, respiratory failure, and death may result • elevated body temperature and pulmonary edema have been reported in children • Inhibits protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis in white blood cells Experimental Animals: • High acute toxicity due to its extremely rapid rate of absorbtion, causing symptoms of toxicity to manifest shortly after exposure • Short-term, high-dose studies indicate detrimental effects upon the nervous system such as loss of coordination and delayed conduction velocities in nerves; also causes immunosuppresive effects • Long-term, high-dose studies indicated damage to the liver and kidneys • Eauivocal evidence of mutagenic potential » No evidence of fetotoxic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic potential ------- REGULATORY PROFILE Health Advisories Existing Standards: •Clean Air Act (CAA): Not regulated •Clean Water Act (CWA): No criteria established 'Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Hazardous waste •Superfund (CERCLA): •Hazardous substance •SARA: Toxic chemical •Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA): Registered •Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Not regulated HEALTH INFORMATION Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG): • Non-enforceable levels based solely on an evaluation of possible health risks and exposure, and taking into consideration a margin for public safety • Set at 0.0002 mg/L to protect against damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system MCLG for Lindane = 0.0002 mg/L (effective July 1992) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL): • Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in public drinking water supplies ¦ Based on health risks associated with the contaminants, analytical methods for their assay, and water treatment feasibility and practicality aspects • Exceedance of the MCL in drinking water may result in adverse effects which will depend upon the contaminant concentration in water, amount of water/contaminant ingested, length of exposure, and other biological parameters • Current MCL = 0.004 mg/L MCL for Lindane = 0.0002 mg/L (effective July 1992) EPA Health Advisories (HA): • Short-term HAs: Provide acceptable concentrations of contaminants in wafer for up to 10 day exposures, primarily to evaluate the public health risk resulting from an accidental' spill or an emergency contamination situation • Longer-term HAs: Provide guidance for oersistent water contamination situations to cover a period of up to 7 years • Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way as an MCLG Short-term HA for a child = 1 mg; L Longer-term HA for a child = 0.03 mg/L Longer-term HA for an adult = 0.1 mg/L Lifetime HA = 0.0002 mg/L ANALYTICAL METHODS • Microextraction and Gas Chromatography EPA Method 505 • Gas Chromatography with an Electron Capture Detector EPA Method 508 • Lipuid-Solid Extraction and Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry EPA Method 525 WATER TREATMENT Permanent Treatment: • Best Available Technology (BAT): • Granular Activated Carbon SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION • If the drinking water standards are exceeded, install BAT or use an alternative drinking water supply such as bottled water ADDITIONAL HELP • State or county health officials can indicate a certified laboratory for testing • Experts in the state Department of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, or Agriculture may also be of help • The EPA has toll-free numbers for further information on drinking water auality, treatment technologies, for obtaining Health Advisories, and for other regulatory information • EPA Hotlines are available Monday through Friday •Safe Drinking Water 800-426-4791 •National Pesticides: 800-858-7378 •Superfund/RCRA: 800-424-9346 • For information on the Clean Water Act. call (202) 260-7301 • For information on the Toxic Substances Control Act, call (202) 554-1404 • For information on the Clean Air Act, call (919) 541-2777 ------- |