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Chemical Name: Γ-(1,2,4,5/3,6)-Hexachlorocyclohexane
Synonyms: Gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane, Lindane (Gamma isomer only)
CAS Number: 58-89-9
Molecular Formula: C6H6Cl6
Form: Crystalline powder
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Slight, musty
Acute Health Hazards: Central nervous system stimulation, dizziness, headaches, seizures possible upon significant exposure.
Chronic Health Hazards: Potential for carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, impacts on liver and kidneys after repeat or prolonged exposure.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion.
Symptoms: Nausea, convulsions, muscle tremors, skin irritation.
Environmental Hazards: Persistence in environment, risk to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Classification: WHO classifies as moderately hazardous; listed as a persistent organic pollutant by the Stockholm Convention.
Main Ingredient: Gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane, purity over 99% in technical-grade samples.
Other Chlorinated Impurities: α-, β-, δ-, and ε-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, generally under 1% each.
Additives: No standard formulation additives reported for pure substance.
Inhalation: Move into fresh air quickly; breathing difficulties demand immediate medical help.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and plenty of running water, remove contaminated clothing.
Eye Contact: Rinse well with water for at least several minutes, avoid rubbing, seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting without instruction from healthcare provider; give water if conscious; seek professional aid immediately.
Medical Monitoring: Watch for neurological symptoms; symptomatic treatment is the general approach.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, chlorine.
Special Protective Equipment: Full protective equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus.
Fire Scene Hazards: Toxic fumes can result from decomposition above 80°C.
Personal Protection: Use gloves, tight-fitting goggles, suitable clothing.
Containment: Prevent spread to water systems and soil; avoid dust formation.
Clean-up: Shovel carefully into containers, avoid raising dust; use absorbent material for spills on hard surfaces; ventilate area.
Waste Management: Dispose as hazardous chemical waste; never flush to drains.
Precautions Handling: Handle in a well-ventilated space, minimize dust and skin contact, keep away from food, beverages, and animal feed.
Storage Requirements: Keep in tightly closed containers, store in a cool, dry, locked, and labeled area, separate from acids and oxidizers.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers; breaks down faster under heat or alkaline conditions.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing fully covering body, NIOSH-approved respirators if airborne levels could become excessive.
Engineering Controls: Good general and local exhaust ventilation, isolation of process areas.
Hygiene Measures: Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during handling, wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA and ACGIH exposure limits for Lindane are available; current TLV (threshold limit value) stands at 0.5 mg/m³.
Appearance: Crystalline powder, white to off-white
Melting Point: 112–113°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Vapor Pressure: Low (0.00004 mm Hg at 20°C)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (7 mg/L at 20°C), much more soluble in organic solvents
Density: About 1.89 g/cm³ at room temperature
Molecular Weight: 290.83 g/mol
Stability under Light: Starts degrading slowly under UV, more persistent in dark storage
Stability: Stable under ambient temperature in tightly sealed containers.
Reactivity: Avoid strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition: Produces toxic products like HCl and other chlorinated compounds at higher temperatures.
Polymerization: No hazard of polymerization.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 in rats ranges typically from 60 to 250 mg/kg.
Chronic Exposure: Linked to liver and kidney damage, cancer risk in long-term animal tests, neurotoxicity well-documented.
Sensitization: Possible skin irritant and sensitizer.
Mutagenicity: Mixed results in genetic toxicity tests; classified as possible human carcinogen.
Bioaccumulation: Can accumulate in fatty tissues, detection in food chains documented in various studies.
Persistence: Lingers in soil and water, breakdown is very slow, residues detected in old treated sites decades later.
Mobility: Tends to adsorb to soils but runoff risk exists, especially on sandy or disturbed ground.
Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic invertebrates and fish; LC50 values in low parts per billion.
Bioaccumulation: Accumulates in wildlife tissues, magnifying up food chains, affecting predators like raptors and marine mammals.
Regulatory Concern: Subject of international bans and restrictions due to persistent organic pollutant profile.
Disposal Approach: Incineration at facilities able to handle organochlorine waste, with appropriate gas scrubbing.
Not Suitable: Dumping or landfilling without controls—a route for groundwater contamination.
Spent Containers: Triple rinse, then puncture before disposal as hazardous waste.
Environmental Safeguards: Follow national and local procedures, avoid release to environment at all costs.
UN Number: UN2761 (Toxic Substances, Solid, Organic, N.O.S.)
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II (medium hazard)
Special Precautions: Secure upright, protect from moisture and heat during transit, segregate from incompatible or reactive chemicals.
Label Requirements: Toxic, Marine Pollutant
Regulatory Listings: Stockholm Convention lists Lindane for global phase-out; EU REACH and US EPA include it as a restricted hazardous substance.
Worker Protection: Labor standards set by OSHA, local equivalent authorities define permissible exposure and required PPE.
Environmental Regulation: EPA and international norms strictly curb its use; only remaining exemptions revolve around public health vector control with significant controls.
Status: Most agricultural and pharmaceutical uses banned in over 150 countries.
