# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
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) | 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
Personal Protection & Sanitation 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
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