House Overwhelmingly Passes Restrictions on Dangerous Pesticide Lindane

Bi-Partisan vote (72-35) to protect Michigan children's from pharmaceutical lindane

May 15, 2008

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the Michigan House of Representatives for overwhelming passing (72-35) important legislation protecting children's health today.

In a bipartisan vote, members of the House 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 Senate 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 House Committee on Great Lakes & Environment Chair Rebekah Warren 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In 2006, lindane was voluntarily withdrawn from agricultural uses.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 only under a physician's direct 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 of Southeast Michigan. Major environmental organizations also support the bill, including the Michigan Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, Ecology Center, Sierra Club and Michigan League of Conservation Voters. 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. "We thank the House and urge swift action in the Senate to protect the public from this toxic pesticide."

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

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For questions regarding this statement, please contact:

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

Gen Howe, Ecology Center: 617-833-3847