Restrictions on dangerous lindane approved by 9-3 vote of House committee

Protecting Michigan children's health is aim of bills

May 14, 2008

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee for passing important legislation protecting children's health today.

In a bipartisan vote, members of the Committee approved common sense restrictions on the use of lindane, a hazardous pesticide used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lice and scabies.

"This is an important vote for children's health. We applaud legislators for supporting this measure, and urge the House to quickly pass the bill," said Jon Fliegel M.D., chair of the legislative committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Michigan
Chapter).

"This is an important vote to help reduce a persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemical from entering the Great Lakes," said Tracey Easthope, MPH, of the Michigan Network for Children‚s Environmental Health and the Ecology Center. "Many thanks to the sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Ted Hammon, and for the leadership of Chair Rebekah Warren and members of the committee for prioritizing children's health."

In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory for lindane. The agency recommended lindane-containing products be used with caution for infants, children, the elderly, and those who weigh less than 110 pounds, as they may be at risk of serious neurotoxicity.

In 2006, lindane was voluntarily withdrawn from agricultural uses.

Lindane is also no longer used in the U.S. in the military or on livestock. Yet, lindane is regularly applied to the scalps of Michigan children.

The bill passed today (HB 4569), would require lindane be used under a physician‚s supervision. Major health organizations support the bill, including the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Michigan Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, the Michigan Association of School Nurses, the Michigan Pharmacists Association, and the Wayne County Medical Society. The Michigan Department of Community Health does not recommend lindane use for either head lice or scabies and supports the legislation.

"The state's prestigious medical authorities are calling for a restriction on the ingredient lindane," said Molly Polverento of the Michigan Environmental Council. "The full House should act now to protect the public from this toxic pesticide, and we urge swift action in the Senate as well."

The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health is a coalition of health professionals, health-affected groups, environmental organizations, and others dedicated to a safe and less toxic world for Michigan's children.

Members include: • American Academy of Pediatrics (Michigan Chapter) • Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) • Association for Children's Mental Health • Clean Water Fund • Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice • East Michigan Environmental Action Council • Ecology Center • Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan • Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Michigan • Local Motion • Michigan Coalition for Children and Families • Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health • Michigan Environmental Council • Michigan Nurses Association • Science and Environmental Health Network

# # #

For questions regarding this statement, please contact:

Molly Polverento, Michigan Environmental Council: 517-881-1234

Gen Howe, Ecology Center: 617-833-3847