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Chemical Datasheet

LINDANE

Chemical Identifiers

UN/NA Number CAS Number CHRIS Code DOT Hazard Label
  • 2761
  • 58-89-9
  • BHC
  • POISON
NFPA 704: data unavailable
General Description
Colorless solid with a musty odor; pure material is odorless. Used as a pesticide and scabicide. (EPA, 1998)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
When heated to decomposition, this compound emits toxic fumes of chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and phosgene. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Lindane is a stimulant of the nervous system, causing violent convulsions that are rapid in onset and generally followed by death or recovery within 24 hours. The probable human oral lethal dose is 50-500 mg/kg, or between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce for a 150-lb (70 kg) person. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
LINDANE is incompatible with strong bases. It is incompatible with powdered metals such as iron, zinc and aluminum. It is also incompatible with oxidizing agents. It can undergo oxidation when in contact with ozone. When exposed to alkalis, this chemical undergoes dehydrochlorination. (NTP, 1992)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)

Response Recommendations

Firefighting
Isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Fight fire from maximum distance, dike fire control water for later disposal.

Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam for small fires. Use water spray, fog, or foam for large fires. Move container from fire area if this can be done without risk. Use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Do not touch spilled material. Sweep or shovel material into a clean, dry container. Carefully collect remainder. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
Skin: Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premise.

Provide: Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2003) 
_____Dupont Average Standardized Breakthrough Times_____
(for LINDANE, SAT. SOLUTION IN ACETONE)

Tychem® BR
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)
Tychem® LV
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)
Tychem® Reflector®
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)
Tychem® Responder®
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)
Tychem® Responder® CSM
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)
Tychem® TK
     greater than 480 min.  (concentration:  sat. sol. In Acetone)  (DuPont, 2008)
Copyrighted information of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Tychem® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
First Aid
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Lindane exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to lindane may be severe and include headache, dizziness, increased sensitivity to stimuli, agitation, nervousness, tremor, seizures, and coma. Convulsive episodes may alternate with periods of severe central nervous system depression. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. Hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart beat) may be noted. Respiratory depression may lead to respiratory arrest. Contact with the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes may result in redness and irritation. Victims often have an elevated temperature.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to lindane may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to lindane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to lindane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. .If not labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas three times. Wash initially with soap and water, follow with an alcohol wash, then again with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of lindane is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age. Warning: Ingestion of lindane may result in sudden onset of seizures or loss of consciousness. Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4. The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Molecular Formula:
  • C6H6Cl6
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 234.5 ° F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 9.4e-06 mm Hg at 68.0 ° F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density: data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.9 (EPA, 1998)
Boiling Point: 614.0 ° F at 760 mm Hg Decomposes (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 290.83 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: <1 mg/mL at 75° F (NTP, 1992)
AEGL: data unavailable
ERPG: data unavailable
TEEL-1 TEEL-2 TEEL-3
1.5 mg/m3 50.0 mg/m3 50.0 mg/m3
(SCAPA, 2008)
IDLH: 50.0 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2003)

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Names:
  • HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE (GAMMA ISOMER)
  • CYCLOHEXANE, HEXACHLORO-
  • LINDANE
CAA RMP: Not a regulated chemical.
CERCLA: Regulated chemical with a Reportable Quantity of 1 pounds.
EHS (EPCRA 302): Regulated chemical with a Reportable Quantity of 1 pounds and a Threshold Planning Quantity of 1000/10000 pounds.
TRI (EPCRA 313): Regulated chemical.
RCRA Chemical Code: U129

Alternate Chemical Names