Tetramethyl lead

Synonyms

Lead tetramethyl; Tetramethylplumbane; TML; [NIOSH]

Category

Metals, Organic Compounds

Description

Colorless liquid (unless dyed red, orange, or blue) with a fruity odor. [Note: Main usage is in anti-knock additives for gasoline.] [NIOSH]

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 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" and linked occupational diseases.

Organic lead was added to gasoline in the US until January 1996. [ATSDR Case Studies, Lead Toxicity]

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

0.15 mg/m3, as Pb

0.075 mg/m3, as Pb

0.004 mg/m3, as Pb

40 mg/m3, as Pb

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: It has been reported that signs of acute tetramethyl lead intoxication in rats were similar to that seen after acute poisoning with tetraethyl lead [ACGIH 1991].

26 mm Hg

LC50 (mice) = 8,500 mg/m3/30M

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

may ignite at ambient temp

Hemolytic anemia

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Yes

Not classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Encephalopathy, acute toxic
• Lead, subacute toxic effect