Use
Lindane is a highly stable lipophilic compound and it has been used extensively worldwide as an insecticide. The only identified uses for hexachlorocyclohexane-containing products are based on the insecticidal activity of the γ isomer (lindane), which is considered to be the only insecticidally effective component (Extoxnet 1996). Lindane or technical-grade hexachlorocyclohexane containing the γ isomer is used primarily as an insecticide in the treatment of wood and wooden structures, seed grains, and livestock (ATSDR 2005, HSDB 2009). Other major uses are as an insecticide for several dozen fruit and vegetable crops, in baits and seed treatments for rodent control, and for treatment of scabies (mites) and lice. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration foruse in three products for the treatment of lice and scabies (one lotionand two shampoos) (FDA 2009).