Lindane: To Ban or Not to Ban?
June 23rd, 2009 Posted in Organic & Chemical Pesticides
Many pesticides have been banned or are being phased out world-wide, due to their detrimental side effects on both humans and the environment. The worst, known infamously as the Dirty Dozen to the environmentally-friendly crowd out there, are already set on the table to be banned world-wide when 158 countries meet to discuss environmental issues. This is being done under the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
This is going to mean big things world-wide; however, the United States has not ratified or signed this treaty. This means that none of the changes will directly affect Americans, but the the U.S. government will definitely be a backseat driver during discussion and all of the motions for this treaty.
The main topic on the table for the conference will be the discussion over the ban of lindane. This product is already banned in parts of the world (in over 50 countries), and for good reason. It is very harmful to one’s liver and kidneys, as well as the nervous system and can potentially disrupt the endocrine system. You would think this would be a no-brainer to ban, right?
Unfortunately, this product is also used as a treatment for lice and scabies, making it harder to get people to ban. If the world-wide ban were to go through, though, this could still be used as an alternative treatment for the diseases.
In 2006, it was banned by the EPA for agricultural use, which up until that point was 99% of what it was used for. So only 1% is used for medicinal purposes. This is where the controversy begins. Should it be banned for uses 1% of the time, when it is then only used as a last resort? If we do, it removes the harm factor to people, but at the same time, it removes those ingredients from the toolbox forever.
Decisions, decisions…
Insecticides and pesticides can be very harmful to both humans and the environment. For a better alternative, use EcoSMART, the organic pest control to kill ants and household bugs.
Kyra Pritchard
