Lindane occurrence

Pesticides are either semivolatile or nonvolatile . For example, the boiling points of DDT (260 °C), lindane (around 320 °C) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) (around 310 °C) [8] classify these pesticides as semivolatile. SVOCs partition between air and house dust, whereas POM are exclusively found in house dust. Methods to analyze pesticides in indoor air (semivolatile pesticides) and in house dust (semivolatile and particle-bound pesticides as well as particulate pesticides), sources for their occurrence indoors, concentrations found in indoor environments as well as impacts are reviewed in this chapter. 

Numerous individual substances were detected only in Ru04 extracts e.g. di- to pentachlorinated benzenes, 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid 24, hexachlorocyclohexanes (a-,P-,y- and 5-HCH) 22, a technical mixture obtained during the synthesis of lindane, and the plasticizers alkylsulfonic acid phenylesters 23. These plasticizers were recently identified in riverine sediments (Franke et al. 1998). Furthermore, nitro-substituted benzoic acid and alkylated phenols 24 were observed. The occurrence of aromatic nitro compounds as a result of the oxidation of anilines can be excluded due to the contemporary appearance of amino compounds, e.g. 4-aminobenzoic acid or N-ethylaniline. However, the origin as well as the emission pathway of these compounds is still unknown. 

Study on the occurrence and levels of pesticides residues in the river Danube has established the presence of organochlorine pesticides (HCH isomers, HCB and DDT), atrazine and desethylatrazine. Simazine and chlorinated phenols (2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) were also detected (Bratanova Z. et al., 1998). Relatively high levels of DDT and metabolites in the water samples after incidents with pesticide stocks are reported (Kambourova et al., 2005). Atrazine and lindane also were found (Bratanova Z. et al., 2000). 

Ruh, C., I. Gebefuegi, and F. Korte. 1984. The indoor biocide pollution occurrence of pentachlorophenol and lindane in homes. Chem. Abstr. CA 104(10) 74030x. 

Like PCP, the insecticide lindane found a broad spectrum of application in wood preservation and for the treatment of pests affecting soil and forests. Because of the relatively high volatility and slow rate of decomposition of lindane in the environment, this substance, like PCP, also occurs ubiquitously. Table 9-2 gives toxicity data and levels of occurrence of lindane in the environment. 

The pesticide lindane has been widely used in agriculture as a seed dressing. Using C-labeled lindane, Saha (1975) studied its biodegradation in plants and animals. He studied the residue distribution over time in chicks and eggs of pheasants fed the labeled pesticide in gelatin capsules. Pheasants were also fed treated wheat seeds. In addition, the occurrence of residue was determined in samples of brain, liver, breast muscle, and fat from five hen pheasants. 

Stein et al. (1977) also discussed 2,3,4,6-TeCP formation from HCH. They start from the confirmation of dehydrogenation as a pathway of lindane metabolism (Chadwick et al. 1975). The occurrence of HCB and HCCH as metabolites of lindane formed by dehydrogenation was partially noticed earlier (see Engst et al. 1977 c.) The enzyme system catalyzing this reaction was foimd to be localized in microsomes of rat liver requiring molecular oxygen and a NADPH generating system. 

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