Tetraethyl lead

Agent Name
Tetraethyl lead
CAS Number
78-00-2
Formula
C8-H20-Pb
Major Category
Metals
Tetraethyl lead formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Lead tetraethy;, TEL; Tetraethylplumbane; [NIOSH]
Category
Metals, Organic Compounds
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]
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]
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] CNS effects are seen within hours to days (usually 1-5 days or as long as 14 days after exposure; [HSDB] "Lead compounds, organic" are not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans. [IARC] See "ORGANOMETALS." See "Lead" and linked occupational diseases.
Restricted
Organic lead was added to gasoline in the US until January 1996. [ATSDR Case Studies, Lead Toxicity]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
Bioaccumulates
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.1 mg/m3, as Pb
PEL (OSHA)
0.075 mg/m3, as Pb
MAK
0.004 mg/m3, as Pb
IDLH (NIOSH)
40 mg/m3, as Pb
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
Human data: It has been stated that 100 mg Pb/m3 for 1 hour may produce illness [Fleming 1963].
Vapor Pressure
0.26 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 850 mg/m3/1H
Explanatory Notes
VP from HSDB;
NFPA
high ambient temp required

Adverse Effects

Anemia
Hemolytic anemia
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: