NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151:

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

September 2005

Tetraethyl lead (as Pb)

CAS
78-00-2

Pb(C2H5)4

RTECS
TP4550000
Synonyms & Trade Names

Lead tetraethyl, TEL, Tetraethylplumbane
DOT ID & Guide
1649 / 131

Exposure
Limits

NIOSH REL: TWA 0.075 mg/m3 [skin]
OSHA PEL: TWA 0.075 mg/m3 [skin]
IDLH
40 mg/m3 (as Pb) See: 78002
Conversion
Physical Description
Colorless liquid (unless dyed red, orange, or blue) with a pleasant, sweet odor. [Note: Main usage is in anti-knock additives for gasoline.]
MW: 323.5
BP: 228°F (Decomposes)
FRZ: -202°F
Sol: 0.00002%
VP: 0.2 mmHg
IP: 11.10 eV

Sp.Gr: 1.65
Fl.P: 200°F
UEL: ?
LEL: 1.8%

Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Strong oxidizers, sulfuryl chloride, rust, potassium permanganate [Note: Decomposes slowly at room temperature and more rapidly at higher temperatures.]
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 2533
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation
(See protection)
Skin: Prevent skin contact (>0.1%)
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated (>0.1%)
Remove: When wet or contaminated (>0.1%)
Change: Daily
Provide: Quick drench (>0.1%)
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations
NIOSH/OSHA
Up to 0.75 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator
Up to 1.875 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
Up to 3.75 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Up to 40 mg/m3:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes
inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
Insomnia, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), anxiety; tremor, hyper-reflexia, spasticity; bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, pallor, nausea, anorexia, weight loss; confusion, hallucinations, psychosis, mania, convulsions, coma; eye irritation
Target Organs
central nervous system, cardiovascular system, kidneys, eyes
See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0008   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0224