LINDANE | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Chemical Identification
CAS #	58-89-9
Formula	C₆H₆Cl₆
Synonyms	BHC; HCH; γ-hexachlorocyclohexane; γ isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane

Physical Properties
Physical description	White to yellow, crystalline powder with a slight, musty odor.
Boiling point	614°F	Molecular weight	290.83
Freezing point/melting point	235°F	Vapor pressure	0.00001 mmHg
Flash point		Vapor density
Specific gravity	1.85	Ionization potential
Lower explosive limit (LEL)		Upper explosive limit (UEL)
NFPA health rating		NFPA fire rating
NFPA reactivity rating		NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1595
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media	GFF (37 mm Gelman Type A/E) and bubbler & 15 mL (isooctane) [AP4003705]
Sampling time^*
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	18-240 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.2-1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-ECD
Method reference	NIOSH 5502 (fully validated)
Notes	transfer bubbler solutions and filters in scintillation vials; pack carefully
Special requirements

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	0.5 mg/m³	REL-TWA	0.5 mg/m³	TLV-TWA	0.5 mg/m³ [1990]	PEL-TWA	0.5 mg/m³
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes:		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	50 mg/m³
Carcinogenic classifications: NTP-R, TLV-A3, IARC-2B		Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Lindane

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Lindane

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Lindane. See annual publication for most recent information.
EPA Air Toxics Website: Lindane (Gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
Angerer, J., Maass, R. and Heinrich, R.: Occupational exposure to hexachlorocyclohexane. VI. Metabolism of γ-hexachlorocyclohexane in man. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 52(1): 59-67, 1983.
Blair, A., Cantor, K.P. and Zahm, S.H.: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and agricultural use of the insecticide lindane. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33(1): 82-87, 1998.
Corrigan, F.M., Weinburg, C.L., Shore, R.F., Daniel, S.E. and Mann, D.: Organochlorine insecticides in substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 59(4): 229-234.
Dick, A.P., Blain, P.G. and Williams, F.M.: The percutaneous absorption and skin distribution of lindane in man. I. In vivo studies. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 16(11): 645-651, 1997.
Drummond, L., Gillanders, E.M. and Wilson, H.K.: Plasma ?-hexachlorocyclohexane concentrations in forestry workers exposed to lindane. Br. J. Ind. Med. 45(7): 493-497, 1988.
Feldmann, R.J. and Maibach, H.I.: Percutaneous penetration of some pesticides and herbicides in man. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 28: 126-132, 1974.
Hoppin, J.A., et al.: Pesticides and other agricultural factors associated with self-reported farmer’s lung among farm residents in the Agricultural Health Study. Occup. Environ. Med. 64: 334-341, 2007.
No Authors: Lindane. Report on Carcinogens (latest edition); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program.
No Authors: Pesticide News Story: Remaining Lindane Registrations Cancelled.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Lindane. In, Sittig’s Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1406-1409.
Purdue, M.P., Hoppin, J.A., Blair, A., Dosemeci, M. and Alavanja, M.C.: Occupational exposure to organochlorine insecticides and cancer incidence in the Agricultural Health Study. Int. J. Cancer 120(3): 642-649, 2007.
Sievert, J., et al.: Unintentional topical lindane ingestions—United States, 1998-2003. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly Rep. 54(21): 533-535, 2005.

LINDANE†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References