Talk:Lindane

New York Bill to ban Lindane

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Bill Summary - A04162 Back | New York State Bill Search | Assembly Home See Bill Text

A04162 Summary: BILL NO A04162A

SAME AS Same as S 5619

SPONSOR Weisenberg

COSPNSR Dinowitz, Ortiz, Perry, Espaillat, Arroyo, Gottfried

MLTSPNSR Acampora, Alfano, Benjamin, Boyland, Brennan, Brodsky, Clark, Cohen A

          Colton, Englebright, Gordon, Greene, John, Koon, Lafayette, Lifton,
          Lupardo, Mayersohn, McEneny, O`Donnell, Peralta, Pheffer, Robinson,
          Tedisco

Add S2507, Pub Health L

Bans the sale, use, and prescription of any product containing hexachlorocyclohexane, commonly known as Lindane, and its isomers.

A04162 Actions: BILL NO A04162A

02/09/2005 referred to health 05/10/2005 defeated in health 05/31/2005 amend and recommit to health 05/31/2005 print number 4162a 06/16/2005 reported referred to codes

A04162 Votes:

A04162 Memo:

BILL NUMBER:  A4162A

TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the public health law, in relation

to banning the sale, use, and prescription of any product containing the substance commonly known as Lindane

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : To restrict the sale, use, and

prescription of any product containing hexachlorocyclohexane, commonly known as Lindane, and its isomers, except as specified in Section 2507.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : Section 1. Adds a new section, 2507

of the public health law.

Section 2. Sets the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION : Lindane is a synthetic pesticide used in agriculture

and as a treatment for head lice and scabies. Consumers use Lindane most often for the treatment of head-lice and scabies in the form of creams, lotions, and shampoos (Kwell). However, extended exposure to Lindane causes the absorption of its chemicals into the skin, the digestive system, and the respiratory tract, resulting in seizures and, in rare cases, death. Medical and toxicology studies have labeled Lindane a possible carcinogen. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and Human Services, confirm these findings, reporting a six fold increase in the number of farmers who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Lindane. Recent case studies report high rates of childhood brain cancer due to treatment with Lindane shampoo. Furthermore, studies have proven that Lindane causes a potentially fatal or lifetime condition called aplastic anemia, the deficiency of essential nutrients in the blood and a precursor to leukemia. Adverse effects have resulted from recommended dosage of this product.

Lindane is exceptionally toxic to the environment. The EPA categorizes Lindane as a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutant, meaning it remains in the environment for a protracted period of time. After its use, patients rinse lindane shampoos and creams down the sink or shower drains. Since waste water treatment plants do not remove Lindane successfully, it passes through groundwater streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. In California, one dose of Lindane was shown to pollute six million gallons of water. Even a small amount of Lindane when ingested is lethal. For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency has severely restricted the agricultural use of Lindane.

In 2003, The Food and Drug Administration repackaged Lindane and included a more detailed and restrictive warning. They classify Lindane as a second choice treatment to more efficient and less toxic alternatives and state that children, the elderly, and pregnant women should not use this product due to its toxicity. Hence, Lindane containing treatments continue to be available by prescription. Although the National Pediculosis Association reports that Lindane products have caused over 500 cases of adverse effects, over one million people receive prescriptions for Lindane each year in the United States.

There is no viable reason to keep Lindane on the consumer market in light of its dangers. It is a deadly poison that safer alternatives can easily replace. Eighteen countries world-wide have banned the use and distribution of Lindane. In addition, since the FDA has restricted the use of Lindane concerning children, the group most likely to become infested with head lice, there is no high demand for this product.

Although Lindane is no longer commercially produced in the United States, it remains commercially available in all states except California. Legislation is necessary to ensure that this dangerous product is removed completely from the consumer market.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : None.

EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall

become law.