What does the Merck Index say about lindane?
According to the Centennial Edition of the Merck Index, poisoning with lindane may occur by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption; possible acute symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, weakness, convulsions, dyspnea, cyanosis circulatory collapse. The Merck Index states that “Lindane and other hexachlorocyclohexane isomers may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens.” Is there a connection between lindane and seizures? The proconvulsant properties of repeated low doses of lindane were reported by Joy and colleagues and it has been since this time that lindane has been used as a kindling agent for studying seizures in rats. M.E. Gilbert published her work with rats and lindane in, Toxicology and Industrial Health, Vol. 10, No. 4, 1994, Neurotoxicology and Teratology, Vol. 17, No 2 1995. Gilbert chose lindane for her studies because of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properites well characterized in the rat. Those who think it is okay to keep pres
