Lice Shampoo
Lice Shampoos contain chemicals designed to kill and repel lice and scabies.  Today’s over-the-counter treatments that are most commonly used contain Permethrin or Pyrethrins Plus Piperonyl Butoxide.  These chemicals are found in commonly used products like RID®, Nix® and other grocery store brands.  These products are generally considered as safe when used as directed.

Of Special Concern
Lindane was frequently used to treat lice until it was banned by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency but allowed for use in pharmaceutical products by the FDA.  California banned the use of Lindane in pharmaceutical products in 2002.  If you have old lice shampoos, kennel sprays or pesticides check the active ingredients for Lindane.  If your product contains Lindane, please treat it as hazardous waste and take it to the Western Placer Waste Management Authority’s HHW Facility.

Disposal
Please follow label directions when using and disposing of current and common over-the-counter products.  Left over lice shampoo is not considered hazardous waste and can be discarded with your regular trash pick up unless it contains Lindane.

Over-the-counter and prescription lice shampoos that contain Lindane are considered hazardous waste and must be taken to the Western Placer Waste Management Authority’s HHW Facility.

More Information
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/default.htm  (Center for Disease Control  - Lice information)
http://npic.orst.edu  (National Pesticide Information Center - fact sheets and reference documents)
http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/lice.html (Lice Aren’t Nice information for kids)
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/medicalissues/a/lindane.htm (About.com – More info about Lindane)