Children's health advocates working to ban the use of the pesticide lindane on Michigan children were buoyed August 2 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the withdrawal of all agricultural products in the U.S. containing the chemical. Environmental health groups around the country applauded the step and said it should strengthen the case for phasing out remaining uses of the dangerous chemical.

Although lindane has been entirely banned in 52 countries, it continues to be permitted for the treatment of lice and scabies in the U.S. Several states, including Michigan, are moving forward with proposed lindane bans like one that has been in effect since 2002 in California.

Lindane is a neurotoxin that can cause seizures, damage the nervous system and weaken the immune system. Exposure may also cause cancer and disrupt the human and animal hormone systems.

"It's about time we stopped using this long-lasting, neurotoxic pesticide," says Kristin Schafer, program coordinator for Pesticide Action Network (PAN). "We're pleased EPA has finally done the right thing, but this chemical linked to brain tumors and hormone disruption is still allowed in lotions and shampoos."

In Michigan, the battle to ban it has already been joined.

Following a meeting with physicians and environmental groups in 2005, Rep. Chris Kolb introduced HB 5574, along with Rep. Kathleen Law. The bill would ban the pharmaceutical use of products containing lindane for the treatment of lice and scabies on humans.

The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health (MNCEH), made up of many environmental and health organizations, including MEC, the Ecology Center, Clean Water Action and the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, have since met with legislators, educated the public and strengthened its support of the bill. The Michigan Department of Community Health also recently announced support for the bill, which is expected to gain momentum when legislators return in the fall.

Over the past three years, a coalition of groups in the U.S., Canada and Mexico has been pressing for a phaseout of lindane as government representatives developed a North American Regional Action Plan (NARAP) under the Commission on Environmental Cooperation. Mexico agreed to phase out all uses of lindane in 2005, and Canada phased out all agricultural uses in 2004. Lindane was initially targeted for restriction and phaseout by the EPA in 1977, and it is currently being considered for international phaseout under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Treaty).