PA DATA CLEAR PESTI. LINDANE ONCE CONSID. CANDIDATE FOR SPC.

["Mike Ewall" <MXE115@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>]

Is this insanity or what?

  - - The original note follows - -

Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 11:56:24 -0400
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From: GROUP PRESS 202-260-4355 <PRESS@epamail.epa.gov>
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Subject: PA DATA CLEAR PESTI. LINDANE ONCE CONSID. CANDIDATE FOR SPC.


FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1995
TOP


           DATA CLEAR PESTICIDE LINDANE ONCE CONSIDERED CANDIDATE FOR
                                 SPECIAL REVIEW


EPA will not conduct a Special Review (comprehensive assessment of risks and
benefits) of pesticide products containing lindane, based on kidney effects.
The Agency has determined that data showing that lindane produces non-reversible
kidney effect in rats are species-specific, i.e., occurs only in rats, but not
in other animal species or humans.  Therefore, the effect is not relevant to
human risk assessment.  The Agency said that available evidence does not
establish a credible relationship between lindane and potential kidney effects
in humans.   Lindane is a broad spectrum pesticide (organochlorine) used to
control insects on a wide variety of sites including seed treatments, livestock,
hardwood/lumber logs, pecans, commercial ornamentals, households, forest trees,
pets, and assorted fruits and vegetables.  As the result of a Special Review in
l977-83, many uses of lindane were restricted to certified applicators.  Use in
smoke fumigation devices for indoor domestic use was cancelled (effective May,
l986); use as a dog dip for pests other than mites was restricted to
veterinarians, and protective clothing requirements were imposed.  Data
concerning adverse kidney effects noted in today's announcement were received
after the Agency had reached its final decision on the l977-l983 Special Review.
EPA recognizes that organochlorine pesticides, such as lindane, may cause
endocrine disruption that may be associated with human or ecological risk
concerns.  The Agency is currently developing a strategy to look at the
remaining registered organochlorine pesticides as a group to examine their role
as potential endocrine disruptors.  Although EPA is closing the Special Review
of lindane for kidney effects, the findings from a comprehensive examination of
this group of chemicals could lead to further regulatory action on lindane.

                                  R-139#  #  #