LINDANE JMPR 1977
Explanation
Lindane was evaluated by the Joint Meeting in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969,
1973, 1974 and 1975 (FAO/WHO 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975). The
ADI and recommended Maximum Residue Limits were temporary and a
lone-term carcinogenioity study was required by 1977 before a firm ADI
could be allocated.
Further information was also listed as desirable by the 1973 and 1974
Meetings, especially on residues on fruit and vegetables, on raw
grains and in their milling fractions, and in animal feedstuffs in
relation to residues in milk, etc. (FAO/WHO 1974, 1975).
The required carcinogenicity study has now become available, together
with further information on absorption, distribution, excretion and
metabolism. Further residue data from supervised trials were also
provided. The new data are evaluated in the following monograph
addendum.
EVALUATION FOR ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE
BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS
Absorption, distribution and excretion
The effect of dietary fibre on the metabolism of lindane has been
studied (Chadwick at al., 1977a). Absorption was evidently most
complete on a diet of lab cow, and least on a synthetic low residue
diet (LRD) plus 10% pectin. The metabolic pattern was altered in that
the rats on lab chow excreted more conjugated chlorophenole than those
on LRD or LBD + 10% peoting agar or cellulose. All animals receiving
fibre had a higher hepatic dechlorinase activities.
The metabolism of lindane is summarized by pointing out that it leads
to the formation of two alcoholat 3 triohlorophenolog 2
tetrachlorophenole, and their conjugates (Chadwick at al., 1977b).
Full microsomal induction requires the presence of EFA in the diet,
consequently the amount of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexene-[2]-ol
(0L-metabolite) formed varies with the diet, being highest on menhaden
plus linseed oils, lowest on coconut (of the oils) and still lower on
a fat-free diet. In the first few days of this experiment the
excretion of conjugated 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol was greatest on the
menhaden + linseed oil regimen.
The OL metabolite of lindane was detected and identified as an
intermediate in the formation of pentachlorophenol, and of
tetrachlorocyclohexenol as an intermediate in the formation of
tetraohlorophenol (Freal and Chadwick, 1973; Engst et al., 1976).
After adaptation of rats to lindane they excreted half of a dose of
14C-L in 3-4 days. The main radioactive residues were found in fat,
kidneys and muscle, with the organs containing relatively more
metabolites in the adapted rats (Seidler at al., 1975). There are also
data on the accumulation of lindane in brain (Solomon at al., 1977).
Biotransformation
The metabolic process generally follows the pathway lindane
(-HC1)->pentachloroeyolohexene (as in plants), then -> isomeric
trichlorobenzenes, isomeric trichlorophenols and sulphate or
glucuronide conjugates of the last-named. In rabbits receiving
14C-lindane for 26 weeks, 54% of the 14C was recovered from the urine
and 13% in the faeces. The compounds definitely identified in the
urine were: two dischlorophenols, 3 trichlorophenols and 2
tetrachlorophenols, but the presence of pentachlorophenol and
pentachlorobenzene was also suspected (Karapally et al., 1973). In
mice the main urinary excretory products identified were the sulphate
and gluouronide conjugates of 2,4,dichlorophenol and
2,4,6-trichlorophenol (Kurihara and Makajima, 1974). The metabolism of
lindane is accelerated by the prior administration of DDT, or of
lindane itself (Chadwick and Freal, 1972a). In addition to the di-,
tri- and tetrachlorophenols mentioned above, a new metabolite was
detected as 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyolohexen (2)-ol(1) (Chadwick and
Freal, 1972b; Freal and Chadwick, 1973). This metabolite, however, did
not seem to arise from the established intermediate
gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene. The direct dehydrogeneration of lindane
giving gamma-hexachlorocyclohexene was also demonstrated (Chadwick et
al., 1975). The metabolic pattern of this intermediate was found to be
similar to that of lindane itself but further dehydrogenation to
hexachlorobenzene did not occur.
The fate of lindane consumed by cows as a contaminant on feed was
studied. (Note that this is of particular interest since aerobic and
anaerobic bacteria metabolize lindane differently; vide infra.)
Incubation of 36Cl lindane with the microflora of cow's rumen
resulted in a cleavage of 90% of the 36Cl in 4-5 days, while the C of
14C-lindane was rapidly converted to volatile compounds. The
"primary" metabolite (only 1%) was tetra-chlorocyclohexane (Haider et
al., 1976).
Application of lindane directly to plants, to soil, or to the nutrient
medium leads to the formation of gamma-pentachlorcyclohexene and some
isomeric trichlorobenzenes. Various publications of the Korte and
Klein groups have demonstrated that up to 80% of the pesticide applied
to plants may be recovered as unchanged lindane, along with small
amounts of penta-, tetra-and trichlorphenols, in both free and
conjugated forms. Still smaller amounts of non-polar compounds
(chlorobenzenes) and pentachlorocyclohexene and hexachlorocyclohexene
were found. The rate of metabolism of lindane on plants is very low
(Stückigt and Rise, 1976). On various crops treated with lindane under
practical conditions, at 10 times the recommended dosage rate, only
traces (ca 0.04 mg/kg) of the degradation product
gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene were detected.
TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES
Special studies in carcinogenicity
Three groups of 50 male and 50 female Chbi: NMRI (SPF) mice were fed
12.5, 25 or 50 ppm lindane (equivalent to 2.1, 4.1 or 8.2 mg/kg/day in
males and 2.0, 3.9 and 7.8 mg/kg/day in females) from 34 days of age
for 80 weeks. One hundred mice of each sex served as convenient
controls. A complete autopsy, light microscopic examination of brain,
heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys. suprarenal glandol gonads,
bladder and all-detected tumours was performed on all survivors.
Electron microscopy of liver was performed on 10-15 samples from each
of 4 male and 4 female mice from each group, Animals dying during the
study were examined grossly post mortem. Survival data were not
available for individual groups. Combined data indicated an 84.2%
overall survival. In animals dying during the study, 22.8% of the dead
mice reported died owing to the presence of tumours (mainly lymphocyte
leukaemia). In 19% (80 mice) of the survivors tumours were observed.
In 6 of these animals two primary tumours were present in each
animals. A breakdown of a total of 106 tumours recorded during the
experiment by group and tumour type does not indicate either a
site-specific or compound-related increase of tumour incidence in any
group. The common eat tumours in survivors were lymphooyte leukaemia
and primary lung tumours. Electron microscopy did not reveal
differences between treated and control groups. (Weisse and Herbst,
1977).
Additional unpublished data m the above study indicate that mortality
ranged from 14 to 19% of each group (Kollmer et al., 1975).
Two groups of 35 day old 50 male and 50 female B6C3 F1 mice were fed
80 to 160 ppm lindane In a diet containing 2% corn oil for 80 weeks
followed by a 10 week period on a diet containing 2% corn oil without
lindane. Controls comprised 10 male and 10 female mice fed 2% corn oil
for 90 weeks. Non-concurrent controls from other experiments (pooled
controls) comprised 50 males and 50 females. Body weights of females
receiving 80 ppm lindane were constantly reduced. During the second
year of the study, treated females were excitable and 6 treated males
aggressive. During the last 6 weeks of the study, all treated animals
were in poor physical condition. At least 88% of male mice and 80% of
female mice survived to termination of the study, Random neoplastic,
proliferative, degenerative and inflammatory lesions occurred in all
groups. Neoplastic liver lesions occurred in 20% of control males, 29%
of low dose males and 20% of high dose males. In females, 0, 4% and 7%
neoplastic liver lesions occurred at 0, 80 and 160 ppm. Statistical
analysis of the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma showed that it
was not significant for any group, on the basis of the contemporary
control comparisons. Among pooled controls a significant increase was
noted in low dose males as compared to pooled controls (NCI, 1977),
Two groups of 50 male Osborne Mendel rats (35 days old) were fed 320
or 640 ppm lindane in the diet for 38 weeks followed by 160 or 320 ppm
for a further 42 weeks. A 30 week withdrawal period preceded killing.
Two groups of female Osborne Mendel rats (35 days old) were fed 320 or
640 ppm lindane in the diet for 2 weeks, followed by 49 weeks on 160
or 320 ppm, and then 29 weeks at 80 or 160 ppm. A 30 week withdrawal
period preceded killing. Controls comprised 10 males and 10 females
maintained for 109 weeks. Body weight varied but was generally
comparable between groups. Clinical signs were noted with increasing
frequency in all treated groups as the study progressed, Mortality was
52%, 50% and 40% in highs low and control male rate and less than 40%
in high and low dose females but 60% in female controls (NCI, 1977).
COMMENTS
In view of the currently very low intake of lindane from a wide
variety of sources, the relative rapidity with which it is degraded in
mammalian organisms and in the environment to much less acutely toxic
compounds, and the relatively high levels required to produce adverse
effects (especially carcinogenesis), in humans and laboratory animals
there appear to be no further toxicological objections to the
continued maintenance of the previously established ADI for humans.
Neither of the new mouse studies reported here nor the new rat study
both undertaken with lindane of much greater purity than previously
tested provide any evidence of tumour or cancer induction following
exposure to lindane. Since the information required by the 1974
meeting has now been satisfied, the present Meeting decided that the
previously allocated ADI for humans is no longer temporary.
TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Level causing no toxicological effect
Rat: 25 mg/kg in the diet, equivalent to 1.25 mg/kg bw
Dog: 1.6 mg/kg bw/day
ESTIMATE OF ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE FOR HUMANS
0-0.01 mg/kg bw
RESIDUES IN FOOD AND THEIR EVALUATION
RESIDUES RESULTING PROM SUPERVISED TRIALS
Results of a number of trials in the Federal Republic of Germany on a
variety of crops were available. As the residue levels found were
below those previously recommended for the crops concerned, only an
abridged summary in given in Table 1.
Detailed data from carefully controlled trials with lindane on lettuce
and spinach grown under glass wore available from the Netherlands (Ad
Hoc Working Group, Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, 1971). These
showed an exponential rate of decay of residues during a period of 3
weeks from sowing, with a half-life between about 3 and 3´ days on
both crops. Results of outdoor trials with lindane in spinach (De Raig
and Werdmuller, 1974) were also available: in this case the rate of
decrease in residue level was higher than exponential during the first
7 days and exponential from days 7-14. After 7-8 days residues in
glasshouse spinach ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/kg, in glasshouse lettuce
from 0.44 to 0.67 mg/kg and in outdoor spinach from 0.05 to 0.6 mg/kg.
Results are shown in Table 2.
Results of residue trials with potatoes (Wit, 1973) and tomatoes grown
under glass (ten Broeke and Dornseiffen, 1973) are also given in Table
2. Although the data on tomatoes were from only two trials, they were
particularly detailed and the Meeting concluded that they provided
sufficient grounds for proposing a maximum residue limit.
The carry-over of residues into successive crops an a consequence of
granular application to the soil (both outdoors and under glass) was
studied (Boehringer, 1975), A granular formulation of lindane was
applied to the soil at a rate of 1.5 or 1.9 kg a.i./ha and potatoes
and carrots were sown in the following one or two years. Results are
in Table 3. The residues found in potatoes were invariably about or
below the limit of determination (0.005 mg/kg) and no metabolites were
detectable. Carrots grown in the year after treatment however
contained mean residues ranging from 0.04 to 0,22 mg/kg and some
samples also showed traces of metabolites
(gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene and possibly also 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorolbenzene) at levels of < 0.02 mg/kg. Residues
in carrots grown two years after the soil treatment were below the
limit of determination, 0.005 mg/kg.
RESIDUES IN FOOD IN COMMERCE OR AT CONSUMPTION
Extensive information on residues of lindane in many home-produced and
imported commodities was available from the Netherlands (Food
Inspection Services, 1976). Of a total of 3381 samples of vegetables,
fruity meaty poultry and meat and dairy products, 40 samples contained
residues above the national limit for the commodity. Details are given
in Tables 4 a-c.
Data on residues in random samples at retail level found in New
Zealand are reproduced in Table. 5 In addition, a sample of carrots
known to have been treated with lindane contained 0.06 mg/kg.
TABLE 1. Residues resulting from supervised trials (Federal Republic of Germany)
No.
of
Crop No. of Treatment Application* Residue (mg/kg) at interval (days) after treatment
trials rate, a.i.
(range) 0 14 21 28 35 >35
Apples 6 2 0.25-0.4 0.04 0.006 0.006 0.009 0.007
kg/ha -0.29 -0.05 -0.02 -0.03 -0.013
Plums 3 2-3 0.02% to 0.06 0.005- <0.005 <0.005 <0.005
run-off (1 0.035 -0.018 -0.006 0.008
sample) all all all
Cherries 3 2 " <0.005 <0.005 <0.005
0.69 0.037 0.025 0.012
Red currants 2 1 0.16 kg/ha 0.08 0.006 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005
Black
currants 1 1 0.02% 0.22 0.006 0.005 0.007
Strawberries 2 1 0.096 kg/ha 0.006-0.014
(43-60 days)
Strawberries 1 1 0.02% 0.017
Vines 2 1 0.45 g/plant
(granules 0.001,
in soil) 0.002
(119 days)
0.05 0.01 <0.005 0.006
Cabbage 2 1 0.16 kg/ha -0.07 0.015 -0.02 -0.01 -0.01
red cabbage 1 0.1% to 0.04 0.02
run-off (61 days)
(5x normal
concentration)
TABLE 1. (Continued)
No.
of
Crop No. of Treatment Application* Residue (mg/kg) at interval (days) after treatment
trials rate, a.i.
(range) 0 14 21 28 35 >35
2 1.875 kg/ha
(granules on
soil surface
before 0.03,(60 0.02(74
planting) 0.05 days)0-03 days)
0.01(88
0.03 days)
1 0.0128g 0.05,0.04(42,60 days)
/plant
Savoy
cabbage 1 1 0.16 kg/ha 0.11 0.016 0.011 <0.005
Brussels 1 1 0.0128g 0.07,0.06,0.04
/plant (42,60,90 days)
sprouts 2 1 0.16 kg/ha 0.11 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
0.16 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.04
Cauliflower 3 1 0.01-0.013g
/plant 0.01,0.01, <0.005
(42, 60, 90 days)
2 1 0.015, 0.037
g/plant
(granular) <0.005, 0.02
(90 days)
1 1 0.096 kg/ha 0.22 0.027 0.020 0.013
Kohlrabi 3 1 0.01-0.015 0.38-0.41
g/plant (65 days)
TABLE 1. (Continued)
No.
of
Crop No. of Treatment Application* Residue (mg/kg) at interval (days) after treatment
trials rate, a.i.
(range) 0 14 21 28 35 >35
Radish 3 1 1.875 0.47 0.18-0.04(9
kg/ha samples,
(granules 40-67 days)
on soil 0.51
surface
before
planting) 0.04 all all all
6 1 0.096 kg/ha -0.14 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005
1 1 0.16 kg/ha 0.081 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005
Peas 1 1 0.16 kg/ha
dust 0.005 <0.005 <0.005
Wheat, 1 of 1 <0.005
barley, each (104-108 days)
oats
Sugar 2 2 0.10 kg/ha Beets <0.005
beets (93,107 days)
Leaves <0.005
(93,107 days)
Beets <0.005,
0.025 (26-30
weeks
2 1 1.5 kg/ha
granules Leaves 0.01-0.02
before
planting
*Emulsion unless otherwise stated
TABLE 2. Residues of lindane resulting from supervised trials on spinach, lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes (Netherlands)
Application
Responsible Crop or Year of Number Rate per Formulation Ref.
body situation trial of treatment
treatments kg a.i./ha days after mean range
(last) residue, (five
composite
application mg/kg samples)
Inspector general spinach 1970 1 0.15 emulsiflable 0 4.35 3.99-4.71
of Public Health (glasshouse) liquid (applied 2 3.00 2.44-3.49
in charge of Food together with 5 1.64 1.45-1.84
stuffs Division 25% parathion 8 0.96 0.81-1.15 1
w.p. 11 0.37 0.35-0.39
14 0.38 0.32-0.45
17 0.10 0.08-0.11
21 0.05 0.04-0.06
lettuce " " " " 0 3.04 2.66-4.05
(glasshouse) 2 1.89 1.68-2.12
5 1.06 0.96-1.19 1
8 0.52 0.44-0.67
11 0.32 0.29-0.35
14 0.20 0.18-0.24
17 0.062 0.054-0.070
21 0.028 0.026-0.033
Rijkszuivel- spinach 1971 1 0.21(+0.38 emulsifiable 0 2.6 2.3 -2.8
station (outdoor) June parathion) liquid 21% 2 1.1 1.0 -1.2
lindane in 4 0.20 0.19-0.21
combination 7 o.063 0.05-0.08 3
25% parathion 9 0.045 0.03-0.06
11 0.030 0.03-0.03
14 0.013 0.01-0.02
Rijkszuivel- spinach 1971 1 " " 0 8.1 4.6 -14
station (outdoor) September 2 2.0 1.3 -2.8
4 1.5 1.0 -1.7
TABLE 2. (Continued)
Application
Responsible Crop or Year of Number Rate per Formulation Ref.
body situation trial of treatment
treatments kg a.i./ha days after mean range
(last) residue, (five
composite
application mg/kg samples)
Rijkszuivel- spinach 1971 7 0.40 0.33-0.59 3
station (outdoor) September 9 0.31 0.30-0.33
11 0.25 0.21-0.29
14 0.16 0.16-0.16
National
Institute potatoes 1971 2 0.15 e.c.,210g/l 30 0.01* 2
of Public (Bintje)
Health
potatoes
" (Gineke) " " " " 30 0.01* 2
Food Inspection tomatoes 1973 1 fumigation smoke 3 0.43 0.34-0.50 4
Service, (glasshouse) (2 2.4 g/100m3 Tablet 3 0.003 0.002-0.004 4
Amsterdam trails) 10%
References
1. Ad Hoc Working Group, Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, 1971
2. Wit, 1973
3. de Ruig and Werdmuller, 1974
4. ten Broeke and Dornseiffen, 1973
* Limit of determination
TABLE 3. Uptake of lindane by potatoes and carrots sown in rotation after soil treatment
Treatment Crop grown Sampled Date of Residue, mg/kg
and date at crop sampling
treatment
Lindane Metabolites
1.875 kg a.i. Radish, Potatoes 2.10.73 <0.005 n.d.
/ha cole (3 plots) <0.005 n.d.
crop <0.005 n.d.
Granular
27.7.72 Carrots 2.8.73 0.40 0.02
(3 Plots) 0.22 <0.02
0.23 0.02
Soil 6.4.73 0.12 0.02
Soil 16.11.73 0.02 <0.02
Potatoes 26.8.74 <0.005 n.d.
Carrots 11.9.74 <0.005 n.d.
soil 11.9.74 0.06 n.d.
1.5 kg a.i. Sugar Potatoes 9.9.74 I <0.005 n.d.
/ha beet II 0.005 n.d.
summer
Granular wheat, Carrots 9.9.74 I 0.1 0.02
23.3.73 maize II 0.1 <0.02
Two separate Soil 19.9.76 II 0.13 0.02
trials, I and II
1.5 kg a.i. Vegetables Potatoes 10.7.74 0.006 <0.02
/ha granular Carrots 14.8.74 0.04 <0.02
24.4.73 Soil 31.7.74 0.09 <0.02
(under glass)
TABLE 4a. Residues of lindane in commodities moving in Commerce (Netherlands, 1976)
endive lettuce parsley purslane turnip-tops celery spinach corn-salad cauliflower chinese
(lamb's cabbage
lettuce)
Range of residues,
mg/kg
0 - 0.05 73 159 9 6 24 21 47 0 21 1
0.051 - 0.10 13 93 1 2 5 5 12 2 0 1
0.101 - 0.50 34 147 4 1 5 17 4 2 1
0.501 - 1.00 13 62 1 3 1 0
1.001 - 2.00 8 31 1 3 0 1
2.01 - 3.00 2 10 1
3.01 - 5.00 4
> 5.00 1 1
total 144 506 16 9 40 46 64 2 23 3
No. of
samples
exceeding
Netherlands 3 14 - - - 2 - - - -
MRL (2 mg/kg)
Residues found
over 5 mg/kg 13.0
mg/
kg
7.78
mg/
kg
proposed limit
Table 4a.(2) Residues of lindane in commodities moving in Commerce ( Netherlands, 1976)
red savoy Brussels butter French brown pea asparagus chicory leek
Range of cabbage cabbage Sprouts -bean bean bean
residues,
mg/kg
0 - 0.05 4 1 13 35 79 2 3 1 18 5
0.051 - 0.10 1 2 2 1
0.101 - 0.50 3 3 5 6
0.501 - 1.00 1 0
1.001 - 2.00 5
2.01 - 3.00 2
3.01 - 5.00 1
> 5.00 1
total 4 1 18 35 84 2 3 1 25 22
No. of
samples
exceeding
Netherlands - - - - - - - - - 4
MRL (2 mg/kg
Residues found over 5 mg/kg 5.2
mg/
kg
proposed limit
Table 4a.(3) Residues of lindane in commodities
moving in Commerce ( Netherlands, 1976)
cucumber melon eggplant paprika
Range of
residue,
mg/kg
0 - 0.05 99 47 1 53
0.051 - 0.10 1 1
0.101 - 0.50 2
0.501 - 1.00
1.001 - 2.00
2.01 - 3.00
3.01 - 5.00
> 5.00
total 100 47 1 56
No. of
samples
exceeding
Netherlands - - - -
Residues found
over 5 mg/kg
proposed limit
TABLE 4b.(1) Residues of lindane in commodities moving in Commerce (Netherlands, 1976)
mg/kg tomato celeriac Swedish beet root radish apple pear strawberry mushroom meat meat of
turnip pig
0.051 - 0.10 38 3 0 4 18 75 9 9 3 121 5
0.101 - 0.50 3 1 4 3 2 53 1
0.501 - 1.00 1 3 23
1.001 - 2.00 1 3
2.01 - 3.00 2
3.01 - 5.00
> 5.00 1
total 41 3 1 4 18 79 9 13 9 203 6
No. of samples
exceeding
Netherlands - - - - - - - - - 1 -
MRL (2 mg/kg)
Residues found
over 5 mg/kg (5.8
mg/
kg
---proposed limit
TABLE 4b.(2) Residues of lindane in commodities moving in Commerce (Netherlands, 1976)
mg/kg meat-products summer winter grape banana miscellaneous
carrot carrot
0 - 0.05 80 21 4 3 0 19
0.051 - 0.10 7 0 0 10
0.101 - 0.50 1 1 0
0.501 - 1.00 1
1.001 - 2.00
2.01 - 3.00
3.01 - 5.00
> 5.00
total 88 21 4 4 1 29
No. of samples
exceeding
Netherlands - - - - - -
MRL (2 mg/kg)
Residues found
over 5 mg/kg
--- proposed limit
TABLE 4c. Residues of lindane in comodities moving in Commerce (Netherlands, 1976)
mg/kg cacoa milk milk meat eggs egg wheat (incl.) wheat rice maize
products products of poultry products (before (untreated)
milling)
0 - 0.05 3 922 93 90 36 1 13 1 0 0
0.051 - 0.10 2 194 42 32 12 1 1 1
0.101 - 0.20 5 80 16 15 1 2
0.201 - 0.50 8 1 3 1
0.501 - 0.70 2 2
0.701 - 1.00 1
>1.00 2
total 10 1209 151 142 50 1 16 1 1 1
No. of
samples
exceeding
Netherlands - 13 1 - - - - - 1 1
MRL
0.23
mg/kg
Residues found
over 1 mg/kg (1.42
3.75
mg/kg
APPRAISAL
Some of the information listed as desirable by the 1973 and 1974
Meeting, 83 further residue data for various crops, from supervised
trails carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany and the
Netherlands, were considered by the present Meeting, they showed that
the residue levels were at or below the limits recommended by the 1975
Meeting. As no other information on these crops had become available
for consideration, the Meeting decided not to make any alterations to
the existing recommendations.
Further supervised trials with spinach and tomatoes, for which
recommendations had not previously been made, resulted in residues at
or below 2 and 0.5 mg/kg respectively. Recommendations were therefore
made for these products at these levels.
Carrots absorbed about 0.1 mg lindane/kg from soil in which maize,
sugar beets, vegetables or wheat had been treated with lindane in the
previous year; an adequate extraneous residue limit is therefore
necessary for this crop.
Extensive data in residues in commodities moving in commerce were
received.
TABLE 5. Residues of lindane in food moving in commerce (New Zealand, 1973 and
1975, random sampling at retail level)
Year crop No. of Samples Residue levels
containing residues (mg/kg)
Highest Average
1973 leafy vegetables 3 samples in 61 0.26 0.12
root vegetables 1 " " 39 0.18
mushrooms 5 " " 6 0.2 0.08
1975 grain 11 " " 16 0.03 0.007
meat 5 " " 16 0.03 0.01
vegetables 1 " " 16 0.003
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The maximum residue limits recommended by the 1975 Meeting and
those of the 1972 Meeting which were not changed in 1975, are
maintained.
2. Additional maximum residue limits are recommended for spinach and
tomatoes; an extraneous residue limit, marked (E) in the table
below, is recommended for carrots.
Commodity Limit, mg/kg Pre-harvest interval
(days) on which recommendation
is based.
Spinach 2 7-14
Tomatoes 0.5 3-4
Carrots 0.2 (E)
FURTHER WORK OR INFORMATION
DESIRABLE
Additional residue data, especially from countries outside Europe in
which lindane is used.
REFERENCES
Ad. Hoc. Working Group Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues. (1971) A
contribution to the determination of acceptable quality levels of
pesticide residue concentrations in food. Report Cx/pr/wg 71/10 add.
1. Unpublished.
Boehringer (1975) Sohn Zum Rücketandeverhalten von lindan. Unpublished
report.
Chadwick, R.W. and Freal, J.J. (1972a) Fd. Cosmet, Toxicol. 10:789.
Chadwick, R.W. and Freal, J.J. (1972b) Bull. Env. Contam. Toxicol*
7:137.
Chadwick, R.W., Chuang, L.T. and Williams, K. (1975) Pesticide
Biochem. Physiol. 5:575.
Chadwick, R.W., Copeland, M.F. and Chadwick, C.J. (1977d) Toxicol.
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