In October 2004, the Mexican environmental authorities announced their decision to withdraw the use of lindane, following a lobby campaign by PAN Mexico and other NGOs. Over 140 environmental and indigenous peoples’ NGOs and academics joined forces to push for eliminating this persistent organochlorine, which is both on the PIC list and a proposed candidate for the POPs convention. Lindane is currently authorised for use as a seed treatment, and in human and veterinary products for the control of headlice and scabies. Mexico forms part of a working group with Canada and the US for regional managements plans for lindane and the date for withdrawal of use in Mexico is not yet fixed. Companies distributing lindane have requested a 10 year phase-out, which is not acceptable to the NGOs. The US government still wants to maintain its registration for pharmaceutical use. (SW)
Mexico: adiós al lindano, Enlace, RAPAL, Chile, 2004, 66:12-13.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 67, March 2005, page 11]