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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 10, 2006
Contact:
Stephenie Hendricks 415 981-6205 ext. 309, stephenie@panna.org
Pesticide Action Network North America
Public Health Advocates Ask FDA to Ban Toxic Lindane
Lindane lotions and shampoos pose danger to children
Environmental and public health groups around the county applaud EPA for last week's decision to withdraw all agricultural uses of lindane, calling it a long-overdue step to protect the health of people and the environment. These groups are now calling upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to follow suit.
Today hundreds of messages are being sent to Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Acting Commissioner of FDA. FDA regulates the pharmaceutical uses of lindane and still allows the use of this neurotoxin on U.S. children. This is unpardonable in the light of the EPA's decision and the fact that in 2003 the FDA itself issued a Public Health Advisory concerning use of topical formulations of lindane lotion and shampoo for treatment of scabies and lice.
Lindane is a neurotoxin and its use in shampoos and lotions for lice and scabies control can cause seizures, birth defects, brain damage and developmental disabilities for children. Researchers have found an association between use of lindane shampoos and childhood brain cancer. Scabies treatments using lindane lotions and creams have been withdrawn in many countries because of reports of aplastic anemia and potential neurotoxicity. Lindane is part of a family of long-lasting chemicals called “organochlorines,” which are known to build up in humans and travel the globe. Most organochlorines have been banned in the U.S. for many years.
“It's time for the U.S. to get rid of this old toxic pesticide,” says Kristin Schafer, Program Coordinator for Pesticide Action Network North America. “More than 50 countries around the world have already banned lindane, and our children deserve the same protection.”
In its decision to ban lindane EPA notes that, “the state of California banned the pharmaceutical uses of lindane due to concerns about water contamination and acute neurotoxicity concerns from direct application.” Disproving the fallacious arguments of the pharmaceutical industry, there have been no lice or scabies outbreaks in California since the withdrawal of lindane in 2002. State pharmaceutical bans are being considered in New York and Michigan. Lindane is also being considered for international phaseout under a global toxics treaty, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Several effective alternatives to lindane exist and are used worldwide. These include physical methods for lice removal such as wet-combing, individual nit / louse removal, and suffocating methods. These physical methods have no toxic effects; no topical irritations to scalp, no systemic absorption, and can simultaneously detect and treat without any danger to the environment
FDA is being called upon to place the health of our children above the profits of the pharmaceutical industry and ban all pharmaceutical uses of lindane.
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Available for Interviews:
- Pamela Miller, Director, and Shawna Larson, Environmental Justice Program Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Voice: (907) 222-7714, E-mail: pkmiller@akaction.net, shawna@akaction.net
- Kristin Schafer, Program Coordinator, Pesticide Action Network North America
Voice: (415) 981-6205 x327, E-mail: kristins@panna.org, Web: http://www.panna.org/
- Kathryn Gilje, Campaign Director, Pesticide Action Network North America
Voice: (415) 981-6205 x350, E-mail: kathryn@panna.org, or ask Stephenie Hendricks to assist you: (415) 981-6205 x309
- Laura McCarthy, Program Associate, Citizens' Environmental Coalition
Voice: (518) 462-5527, E-mail: ceclaura@igc.org
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