Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 24, 2006

Click here to view bill details.

We go through headlice stuff like CRAZY.

We go through headlice stuff like CRAZY. HOUSE BILL No. 5574 January 24, 2006, Introduced by Reps. Kolb, Kathleen Law, Zelenko and Lemmons, III and referred to the Committee on Health Policy. A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled "Public health code," by adding part 140 to article 12. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: ARTICLE 12. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PART 140. ADULTERATED CONSUMER PRODUCTS Sec. 14001. A person shall not sell, offer for sale, possess for sale, give away, use, or prescribe any product used for the treatment of lice or scabies in human beings that contains the pesticide chemical lindane. Sec. 14005. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor. (2) A person who knowingly or recklessly violates this part is guilty of either of the following: (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. (b) If the violation results in personal injury or death, a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $4,000.00, or both. (3) This section does not prohibit an individual from being charged with, convicted of, or punished for any other violation of law that is committed by that individual while violating this section.

As you know California banned lindane a few years back, and other states now have bills in their legislature. Many parent's do not realize just how toxic lindane is to their children. What is very troublesome is that Morton Grove has sold the rights to the sale of lindane to Alliant who specializes in pediatric medications, and as many know, lindane is NOT to be used on anyone under 110 pounds. Morton Grove has hired lobbyists, and has issued not only innacurate information, but misleading memo's stating that lindane is effective and safe if used as directed, which is so wrong as it is a proven fact that lindane is the least effective headlice treatment, and that there are many safer treatments, such as a lice comb. Also the FDA who blackboxed lindane says that there have been adverse effects when used as directed, and the FDA admits to only recieving app. 20 percent of the actual adverse effects from any medication (or pesticide like lindane)

Protect the children

I hope that the legislatures realize that if the EPA decided lindane is so toxic, that they will make the right decision and ban it for headlice and scabies. Lindane is absorbed into the skin and goes into fatty tissue and the brain. We must protect our children now !!!!!

I support this bill. Our school goes through head lice materials like CRAZY. Low income areas are particularly affected by this (although anyone can get it, of course). Get the lead out, too! Michigan leaders are getting much better about creating laws to PREVENT problems in education and development in our children! They are making decisions that will help ALL of our children to become more independent, productive citizens of Michigan's FUTURE. It looks like a much brighter future. THANK YOU, LEGISLATORS! Part of the problem is that some families DO NOT clean their houses WELL ENOUGH after an outbreak is identified that it takes care of the problem. It's A LOT of work and a total pain and disruption to clean everything; thus, parents use the treatments for the hair OVER and OVER in order to get their kids back into school, but the house never GETS THE LICE OUT. These POOR KIDS! This bill is really critical. Nice job!:)

Maybe you should put an email out to all superintendents and put this information on the NEWS whether it becomes law or not. Is there a law saying that it may not be SOLD in Michigan or used in any public school?

If it's bad for you? Is there another alternative product without this substance that is just as effective? Are educators and politicians worried that without it our kids would be out of school with headlice and not pass the MEAP? It was suggested in January. Should it go to the EDUCATION COMMITTEE? Either it's harmful or it's not. Either there's a substitute product or there's not.

Is that why this is taking so long to consider? Is it STUCK in committee and WHY?

I hope that the legislatures realize that if the EPA decided lindane is so toxic, that they will make the right decision and ban it for headlice and scabies. Lindane is absorbed into the skin and goes into fatty tissue and the brain. We must protect our children now !!!!! -------------------------------------------------- This was well said. Thank you.

Don't you think you should perhaps pass this before a new group of children are exposed?

If the EPA says it's BAD, then end the madness.

Which is a bunch of bull_oney. The FDA who blackboxed lindane in 2003 says it should be used in caution on anyone under 110 pounds. The problem is some of the over the counter treatments, just like lindane are not effective, so even though it is advised that lindane be used as a second line therapy, the pharmacutical company knowing that the first treatment most likely will fail, knows that a pediatrician will write a script for lindane. The best way to get rid of headlice is with a lice comb. It may take some time with a child with long hair, but this way you are not exposing your child to a pesticide that can cause neurological damage, cancers, etc. New York and Illinios also have lindane bills they are trying to pass. But Morton Grove pharmacuticals hired lobbyists in both states and spread very inaccurate information slowing the progression of these bills. Until these bills are passed lindane will still be prescribed to our children, and did you know the average cost of one treatment of lindane is $150.00 !!!!! The two lice treatments to avoid are of course lindane and another called malathion sp? Ask your pharmacist for a treatment that contains NO pesticides, there are a few out there. Good luck to Michigan, Illinois and New York with their lindane bills.