Common Name: Lindane CAS Number: 58-89-9 DOT Number: NA 2761 Date: July, 1988 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Lindane can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Lindane should be handled as a CARCINOGEN WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Overexposure can cause irritability, restlessness, anxiety, poor appetite, and headache. Higher levels can also cause muscle twitching, convulsion (fits) and even death. * It also may damage the developing fetus and reduce fertility in females. * Repeated overexposure may cause liver damage. IDENTIFICATION Lindane is a colorless solid with a musty odor. It is an organochlorine insecticide. REASON FOR CITATION * Lindane is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NTP, DEP and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is a CARCINOGEN. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. * Lindane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Lindane and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Lindane to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Lindane: * Overexposure by skin contact or breathing can cause restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, poor appetite and/or headache. Higher exposures can also cause muscle twitching, seizures, convulsions or "fits" and even death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Lindane and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * Lindane may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been shown to cause liver, lung, endocrine glands and other types of cancer in animals. * There is limited evidence that Lindane is associated with leukemia in humans. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * Lindane may damage the developing fetus. * Lindane may decrease fertility in females. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated overexposure may damage the liver or cause damage to the nerves of the arms and legs, possibly with weakness and poor coordination. * Exposure may also cause a serious drop in the blood cell count (aplastic anemia) or in the white blood cell count (agranulocytopenia). MEDICAL TESTING For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Exam of the nervous system. * Complete blood count (CBC). If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may also be useful: * Blood test for Lindane (may not be accurate longer than 1 week after last exposure). * Liver function tests. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Lindane from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: "Occupational exposure during the Manufacture and Formulation of Pesticides #78 174". Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Lindane should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Lindane. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Lindane, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Lindane, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Lindane is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. * When vacuuming, a high efficiency particulate absolute (HEPA) filter should be used, not a standard shop vacuum. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Lindane. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 1000 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 1000 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Lindane DOT Number: NA 2761 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 58-89-9 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY Not Found Not Rated REACTIVITY Not Found Not Rated ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Phosgene and Hydrogen Chloride. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Lindane is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until cleanup is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Lindane as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Lindane you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Lindane must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG ALKALIS and POWDERED METALS since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area. FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Shampoo hair thoroughly if contaminated. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Cyclohexane, 1,2,3,4,5,6 Hexachloro , (1alpha, 2alpha, 3beta, 4alpha, 5alpha, 6beta) Other Names and Formulations: Benzene Hexachloride; Kwell R; gamma BHC Benhexachlor. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Lindane is an organochlorine insecticide which has been used against insects in a wide range of applications. It has been used to treat animals, buildings, humans for ectoparasites; clothes; water for mosquitoes; living plants, seeds, and soils. It may enter the environment from industrial discharges, insecticide applications, or spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Lindane has high acute toxicity to aquatic life and to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of Lindane to plants or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Lindane has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of Lindane to plants, birds or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Lindane is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Lindane is moderately persistent in water, with a half-life of between 20 to 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 52.3% of Lindane will eventually end up in water; about 23.4% will end up in terrestrial soil; about 22% will end up in aquatic sediments; and about 2.3% will end up in air. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of Lindane found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of Lindane in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.