Lindane (C6H6Cl6)

1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane

Other names

Gammahexane, Gammexane

CAS Number

58-89-9

Properties

• colourless, almost odourless powder
• is a persistent organic pollutant

Main sources

• agriculture and forestry: insecticide (wood protection agent)

Thresholds for the reporting requirement of facilities in accordance with Annex 2 PRTRO

(Ordinance on the Register relating to Pollutant Release and the Transfer of Waste and of Pollutants in Waste Water)

• Air               1 kg/year
• Water          1 kg/year
• Soil              1 kg/year

Impacts

• suspected carcinogenic effect
• toxic to humans, animals and aquatic organisms
• harmful to the central nervous system
• high degree of bioaccumulation
• has a long half-life, very persistent in the environment
  

Measures

• banned since 2002 in the EU
• included on the list of banned substances by the Stockholm Convention in May 2009