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Lindane

CAS 58-89-9

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Also known as: lindane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, γ-hch

What it is + why it's regulated

Lindane is a chemical that was once widely used as an insecticide, especially in agriculture and in some prescription treatments for head lice and scabies. It is also known as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane or γ-HCH. Because of concerns about its effects on human health, California’s Proposition 65 has listed lindane since 1989. The state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) includes it on the list because it is linked to cancer and can also cause developmental harm, meaning it may affect a developing baby or a child’s growth. Lindane can build up in the environment and in the body, which is why its use is now heavily restricted in many places. You might still find it in some older products or in certain medical treatments, but it is not common in everyday consumer goods. The key point is that California law requires businesses to warn people if they are exposed to lindane at levels above a certain threshold. This summary draws on public regulatory data; the linked source is authoritative. Source: California OEHHA Proposition 65 List (https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list)

Authoritative source

Issuing body: California Proposition 65
Primary register: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list

Always verify each fact at the primary register before acting on it.

What this is NOT

ProductGuru is an INDEX of public regulatory data, not a primary source. This page is not medical, occupational-health, or legal advice. Every claim above is drawn from the issuing-agency register linked. Inclusion in our index is not endorsement, condemnation, or hazard assessment.

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