| Agent Name |
Tetraethyl lead |
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| CAS Number |
78-00-2 |
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| Formula |
C8-H20-Pb |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Lead tetraethy;, TEL; Tetraethylplumbane; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Metals, Organic Compounds |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid (unless dyed red, orange, or blue) with a pleasant, sweet odor. [Note: Main usage is in anti-knock additives for gasoline.] [NIOSH] Flammable, but not pyrophoric and does not react with water; [Sullivan, p. 979] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Tetraethyl and tetramethyl lead (CAS # 78-00-2 & 75-74-1), also called alkyl lead, are used as anti-knock agents in gasoline. [ATSDR Case Studies # 1] |
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| Comments |
The presenting symptoms of acute alkyl lead intoxication are neurologic: anorexia, insomnia, fatigue, weakness, headache, depression, and irritability. [ATSDR Case Studies # 1] Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption. Overexposure may cause disturbed vision, tremors, seizures, and brain damage. Monitor workers with urinary lead measurements. [ACGIH] "Lead compounds, organic" are not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans. [IARC] See "Lead." See "ORGANOMETALS." |
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| Restricted |
Organic lead was added to gasoline in the US until January 1996. [ATSDR Case Studies, Lead Toxicity] |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.1 mg/m3, as Pb |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.07 mg/m3, as Pb |
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| MAK |
0.05 mg/m3, as Pb |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
40 mg/m3, as Pb |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: It has been stated that 100 mg Pb/m3 for 1 hour may produce illness [Fleming 1963] |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.2 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 850 mg/m3/1H |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
2: high ambient temperature required |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Anemia |
Anemia, Hemolytic |
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| Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: TETRAETHYL LEAD
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