Use of alpha-, beta- and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane in Europe, 1970-1996

Data on current and historical usage of alpha-, beta- and gamma-hexachloroc yclohexane (HCH) in Europe are presented. The data were collected and estim ated as a part of a project studying the regional cycling of persistent org anic pollutants (POPs) in the Baltic environment (Popcycling-Baltic). Bette r data on sources, environmental discharges and atmospheric emissions of HC H and other POPs are needed to study, and hopefully reduce, the impact of t hese pollutants on the environment. Substantial uncertainties are assigned to the estimated data for individual countries and years, but it seems like ly that the general trend of usage in Europe is captured. The quality of th e estimates is thought to improve in general throughout the period, thus, r eflecting the availability of reliable data. The results suggest that 382 0 00 t of technical HCH and 81 000 t of lindane were used in Europe from 1970 to 1996. This is equivalent to an estimated cumulative usage of 259 000 t alpha-HCH, 135 000 t gamma-HCH and 20 000 t beta-HCH. The usage of technica l HCH was the major source of gamma-HCH until the late 1970s, and thereafte r lindane became the dominating source of this isomer. The use of gamma-HCH in 1996 was estimated to still be nearly one-third of the European usage i n 1970. The pattern of decreasing concentrations in biota follows the patte rn of reductions in usage for the studied period within the Baltic area. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.