Common Name: Tetraethyl Lead CAS Number: 78-00-2 DOT Number: UN 1649 Date: August, 1987 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Tetraethyl Lead can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Tetraethyl Lead can cause reproductive damage. Handle with extreme caution. * Severe or fatal poisoning can occur from large or repeated breathing or skin exposure. Symptoms may be delayed and include insomnia, strange dreams, headaches, "shakes", personality changes, seizures and death. * Overexposures can cause kidney damage. * Tetraethyl Lead can dry to a dust which irritates eyes, skin and air passages. * It is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Tetraethyl Lead is a colorless oily liquid with a slight musty odor. It is used as a gasoline additive to prevent "knocking" in motors. REASON FOR CITATION * Tetraethyl Lead is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and NFPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is REACTIVE. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.075 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Tetraethyl Lead and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Tetraethyl Lead to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Tetraethyl Lead: * Symptoms may occur within a few hours or be delayed for days, up to a week. They include insomnia, strange dreams, personality changes, tremors or "shakes", hallucinations and convulsions (seizures or "fits"). Death can occur in severe cases. * Tetraethyl Lead can dry to a powder which may irritate the skin, eyes and air passages, with sneezing, cough, etc. * Eye contact causes irritation. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Tetraethyl Lead and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * There is limited evidence that Tetraethyl Lead causes cancer in animals. * Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans. Reproductive Hazard * Exposure may decrease fertility in males and females. * There is evidence that Tetraethyl Lead may damage the testes (male reproductive glands) and reduce sperm production. Other Long Term Effects * Kidney damage may occur, especially with repeated or high exposure. * Symptoms may persist for weeks or even months after exposure stops. Some loss of vision may occur after eye splash or with severe or repeated skin or breathing exposure. * Permanent brain damage could result from high or repeated exposures. * Lead can cause increased blood pressure and can accumulate in the body with repeated exposures taking months or years for the body to get rid of. Since Tetraethyl Lead is changed into Lead in the body, these effects may also occur with repeated Tetraethyl Lead exposure. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Urine test for Lead (levels of 0.1 mg per liter of urine indicate increased exposure. Such levels increase risk from further exposure). Blood Lead tests are not usually accurate with exposure to Tetraethyl Lead. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Lead exposures from other sources (Lead-based paints, Leaded solder or glaze, target practice, moonshine made in Leaded containers) will increase body Lead levels. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Tetraethyl Lead from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Before entering a confined space where Tetraethyl Lead may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Tetraethyl Lead should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Tetraethyl Lead. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Tetraethyl Lead, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Tetraethyl Lead, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Tetraethyl Lead is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Tetraethyl Lead. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Tetraethyl Lead, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.075 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 40 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 40 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Tetraethyl Lead must be stored to avoid contact with OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES and NITRATES) and CHEMICALLY ACTIVE METALS (such as POTASSIUM, SODIUM, MAGNESIUM and ZINC) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from HEAT. * Protect storage containers from physical damage. * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where Tetraethyl Lead is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. * Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of Tetraethyl Lead. * Wherever Tetraethyl Lead is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings. Common Name: Tetraethyl Lead DOT Number: UN 1649 DOT Emergency Guide code: CAS Number: 78-00-2 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 2 REACTIVITY - 3 ----------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE AND REACTIVE LIQUID POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Tetraethyl Lead is a combustible liquid. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Tetraethyl Lead is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Tetraethyl Lead as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 200oF Water Solubility: Insoluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Plumbane, Tetraethyl- Other Names and Formulations: Tetraethylplumbane; TEL. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Lead and its compounds is one of the metals known since ancient times. It occurs widely in the earth's crust and can be dissolved from rocks and minerals into surface waters. Lead and its compounds have a variety of commercial and industrial uses, such as lead pipe, lead lined containers for corrosive gases and liquids, tetraethyl lead, paint pigments, alloys in metallurgy, storage batteries, ceramics, electronic devices, and plastics. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Toxicity to aquatic life is affected by water hardness - the softer the water, the greater the toxicity. Lead and its compounds have high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of lead and its compounds to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Lead and its compounds have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Lead causes nerve and behavioral effects in humans and could cause similar long-term effects in birds and land animals exposed to lead and its compounds. WATER SOLUBILITY Lead and its compounds range in their respective water solubilities from highly soluble to practically insoluble. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Lead and its compounds are highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of lead and its compounds found in fish tissues is expected to be much higher than the average concentration of lead in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.