Lindane—a review of toxicity and environmental fate

1999

Environmental Science & Technology, 1999

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 2009

Scientia Marina, 2003

This paper reports the histological analysis of various organs of Mugil sp., Cyprinus carpio and Barbus sp. after an accidental discharge of lindane (γ-Hexachloro-cyclohexane -γ-HCH-) into the Barbate River (Cádiz, SW Spain). Histopathological alterations of gills, liver and kidney were detected. Fusion of the secondary lamella, increased raising of the branchial epithelium and intraepithelial edema in gills, reduction of the diameter of the hepatocytes and, in advanced cases, cellular vacuolisation with hypertrophy of the hepatocytes in liver, as well as tubular necrosis, desquamation and vacuolisation of tubular epithelial cells in kidney, were observed. Quantification of lindane in water and whole fish samples was performed using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. The results of this histological analysis of various fish tissues indicate a direct correlation between pesticide exposure and the histopathological disorders observed. Chemical analysis of the lindane in the water and fish tissues confirmed a causal relationship between exposure to this pesticide and the fish damage found.

2006

Ahas been one of the most extensively used pesticide and has been industrially produced mainly after the Second World War. HCH is available in two formulations: technical HCH and lindane B . A total of eight HCH isomers have been identified in technical HCH; however, only the α-, β-, γ-, δ- and eisomers are stable and these are the ones commonly identified in technical formulations. Generally, technical HCH contains the isomers in the following percentages: α: 55-80%, β: 5-14%, γ: 8-15%, δ: 2-16%, and e: 3-5%. Of these isomers only the gamma isomer has specific insecticidal properties. Lindane contains more than 90% of γ-HCH, but lindane used in many countries is almost pure γ-HCH. The application of lindane and technical HCH during the last 5 decades has resulted in environmental contamination with global dimension 1, 2a, 2b, and 2c . In the late 1940s and 50s the Technical HCH mixture as a whole was sprayed in Europe (and other countries). However it was soon discovered that the a...

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 1992

The acute and chronic toxicities of lindane to larvae of the freshwater insects Chironomus riparius Meigen, Chaoborusflavicans (Meigen), and Sigara striata (L.) were investigated in mesocosm compartments of an experimental pond. The following median lethal concentrations (L&s) were determined: 240~hr LC, of 2.0 pg lindane liter-' for second instar C. riparius, 72-hr LC5,, of 6.5 gg lindane liter-' for fourth instar C. riparius, and 96-hr L&s of 4.0 and 3.9 pg lindane liter-' for fourth instar C. flavicans and fourth or fifth instar S. striata, respectively. Lindane significantly reduced the growth over 10 days of second instar C. riparius compared to that of the control at the treatment concentrations where larvae survived (1.0, 2.5, and 7.0 pg lindane liter-'). A significant increase in the median emergence time in comparison to that of the control was observed for C. riparius exposed to 0.8 and 2.0 pg lindane liter-', with higher concentrations causing 100% mortality. The findings compare well with previously reported laboratory data on the toxicity of lindane to insects and support the methodology and results of a laboratory growth test for C. riparius.

Lindane, an organochlorine pesticide, has been widely used in public health and agriculture in several countries including India. Lindane has long been associated with pollution due to its long persistence and quick accumulation in fatty tissues. It is considered a possible carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, immunotoxin, and neurotoxin in mammals. However, data on toxicity of lindane to fish is inadequate to establish the mode of action of this pesticide in this group of vertebrate. The present study thus aims to review the works of toxic effects of lindane to fish.

2010

Journal of Soils and …, 2004