An organochlorine insecticide, the gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH; or benzene hexachloride, BHC), widely used for treating aerial parts of plants, for seeds and the soil. Available alone or in combination with a wide range of other compounds. Least persistent compound in this group of chemicals.
For etiology, clinical features, lesions, treatment and investigations, see Organochlorines .

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Toxicity
Oral doses in mg/kg or concentrations in mg/l..

LD50	rats	76-225
	guinea pigs	100-127
	rabbits	40-75
	cats	35
	dogs	30-200
	hens	70
	pheasants	75-100
	red-legged partridges	65-125
	common partridges	35-85
	ducks	>2000
MTD	calves	2.5
	adult cattle	10
	sheep	10
	goats	10
	horses	15
	hens	20
TD	calves	5
	adult cattle	20
	sheep	25-50
	goats	25-50
	hens	30-250
LD	calves	5-15
	adult cattle	25
	sheep	100
	goats	100
	horses	30
	chickens	120-570
LC50 (96h)	fish	0.04-0.07

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Case summaries
Eleven heifers and bullocks were contaminated by herbicide spraydrift arising from its application to an adjacent field. The animals were inadvertently trapped in a cloud of the chemical, with a very high risk of pulmonary exposure and absorption.
Between 30 and 45 minutes later, five animals presented with tremor, mainly of the head. By the time the veterinary surgeon arrived 90 minutes later, all the animals presented, to varying degrees, with tremor and muscle fasciculation. Three of the first animals to show symptoms were in decubitus, with paddling movements of the limbs. Symptomatic treatment using xylazine was instituted. Four hours later, three of the most affected animals died; the others responded to the treatment and quietened down. In the following 4 to 48 hours, the animals continued to be administered xylazine and cardiorespiratory analeptics. Another animal died 26 hours later.
Autopsies showed the following features.. generalized congestion, petechiae on the endocardium and pericardium. Samples of fat taken from the adrenals and the liver showed levels of lindane at 17 and 7.8 ppm (DM) respectively.