Comb as an alternative to Lindane in treating head lice

Number

165-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Sector

Health services

Function

Other

Process

Other

Product category

other

Application

Lice removal

Abstract

The LiceMeister ® Comb is a medical device for routine screening, early detection and removal of head lice (pediculosis) and their nits (eggs).The combing method is superior to conventional scalp inspection.

Substituted substances

Lindane

CAS No. 58-89-9 EC No. 200-401-2 Index No. 602-043-00-6

Chemical group

Halocarbons

Classification: hazard statements

H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other adverse effects

The substance is: fulfilling POP criteria (EC PBT working group), on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database), neurotoxic cat. 3 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

other toxic effects
ED
CMR

Other type of alternative

Instead of using Lindane or other insecticides to remove head lice, a comb is used

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Lindane is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), according to the IARC Monographs. Alternative substance: The lice comb is a non-chemical alternative.

Description of Substitution

The comb is a non-chemical, non-pesticide effective method for managing head lice. The tines of the comb are spaced with precision to collect lice and nits as it passes through the hair. The clear advantage of combing is the absence of potential toxic side effects of Lindane, the toxic waste that occurs with manufacturing Lindane as a pharmaceutical and the environmental risks that occur when Lindane enters the drainage and water system when used as a shampoo or lotion. The LiceMeister comb is a non-consumable medical device manufactured with environmentally friendly materials.It can be sanitized between individual uses without compromising its effectiveness for years of repeated use. Lindane as a pharmaceutical is not 100% effective against lice, due to resistance, is not ovicidal, has no margin of safety for those who have been directly exposed to other pesticide formulations for lice,and does not remove lice or eggs, dead or alive. Lindane is marketed as a second line treatment even though combing is an available approach. There is no logic to Lindane as a second line treatment as there is no accountability for the varied vulnerabilities of those already exposed to other pesticide formulations in uncontrolled and indeterminate quantities.Pediculicides put both the person applying the treatment and the person receiving treatment at risk. It is illogical to use Lindane in this way especially when safer options exist. The LiceMeister ® Comb has been on the US market since 1997 and has been widely used in the school, childcare, home, and 'nit-picker' and lice research markets. The LiceMeister combing tool enables parents and caregivers to screen patients regularly, detect head lice and their nits early, and deal with them as safely and properly as possible in a non-chemical manner. The LiceMeister comb is a realistic, practical, cost-effective medical device that serves as a safe alternative to costly prescription pesticides too often misperceived as effective medications without sufficient warnings of health risks and lice resistance. Combing accomplishes what chemicals cannot.It enables families to be first to identify an infestation, self-reliant in the privacy of their home and equipped to send their children into the group setting lice and nit free.