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    9. Addendum zu Lindan (γ‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐Hexachlorcyclohexan). Beurteilungswerte in biologischem Material
Cover: The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

German Research Foundation – Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
(MAK Commission)

ISSN 2509-2383



Addendum zu Lindan (γ‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐Hexachlorcyclohexan)

Beurteilungswerte in biologischem Material

Britta Brinkmann1
  Hans Drexler2
  Andrea Hartwig1
  MAK Commission3

1 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
2 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Henkestraße 9–11, 91054 Erlangen, Deutschland
3 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated lindane. The critical toxic effects of lindane are immunotoxic and immunomodulating effects. After inhalation exposure a NOAEC of 0.6 mg/m3 (rat) and 1 mg/m3 (mouse) for histological changes of the spleen, thymus and bone marrow and a NOAEL of 0.45 mg/kg body weight for rats and 2 mg/kg body weight for mice for immunological effects can be derived. Exposure to the MAK value of 0.1 mg/m3 results in a daily intake of 0.014 mg/kg body weight (100% inhalation absorption, 70 kg body weight and 10 m3 respiratory volume) for humans excluding skin contact. In this low concentration range, an inhibition of immunological responses is not likely. So the MAK value of 0.1 mg/m3 was confirmed. No data are available to correlate the concentration of lindane in the air with its concentration in serum. There are no indications that immunotoxic effects occur at a serum concentration of 25 µg lindane/l, therefore, the BAT value of 25 µg lindane/l is confirmed. The NOAEL for developmental toxicity after oral application is 10 mg/kg body weight and day corresponds to 900 µg/l serum concentration. The distance of the NOAEL for developmental toxicity relating to serum concentration in rats is 40‐fold of the BAT‐value. Therefore, lindane is assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C.

Keywords

lindane, γ-HCH, γ-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane, biological tolerance value, BAT value, developmental toxicity