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Chemical Datasheet

TETRAETHYL LEAD, LIQUID

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 78-00-2   (TETRAETHYL LEAD)
  • 1649
  • Poison
  • TEL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Tetraethyl lead (as Pb)
  • TETRAETHYL LEAD
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 2
W
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Flash point 163°F. Density 14 lb / gal. Insoluble in water. Toxic by inhalation and by skin absorption.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
May explode in fires. Decomposes slowly at room temperature and more rapidly at elevated temperatures. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Extremely poisonous; may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed from the skin. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Most symptoms of poisoning are due to the effects of tetraethyllead on the nervous system. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
TETRAETHYL LEAD decomposes under UV light. Reacts with fats; reacts violently with oxidizing agents, causing fire and explosion hazards. Attacks rubber [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 890].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Fire fighting should be done from an explosive-resistant location. Use water from unmanned monitors and hose-holders to keep fire-exposed containers cool. When stopping leak, use water spray to protect firefighters. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Water spray may be used because the material can be cooled below its flash point. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tetraethyl lead (as Pb):

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (>0.1%) - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. (>0.1%)

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (>0.1%) - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated. (>0.1%)

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED (>0.1%) - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced. (>0.1%)

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide: QUICK DRENCH (>0.1%) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (>0.1%) (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Tetraethyl lead 78-00-2 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Warning: Effects may be delayed for hours to days. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Tetraethyllead Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to tetraethyllead may be severe and include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, violent/frightening dreams, headache, disorientation, hyperexcitability, delusions, and hallucinations. Muscular weakness, ataxia, tremors, convulsions, cerebral edema, and coma may occur. A metallic taste may be noted. Sneezing, bronchitis, and pneumonia may be observed. Bradycardia (slow heart rate), hypotension (low blood pressure), hypothermia, and pallor may also occur. Gastrointestinal symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Tetraethyllead may irritate moist skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tetraethyllead may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tetraethyllead.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to tetraethyllead.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • Pb(C2H5)4
Flash Point: 200°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.8 % (EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 230°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -202°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mmHg at 68°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 8.6 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.653 at 68°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 392°F at 760 mmHg Decomposes between 230 - 392°F. (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 323.45 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 11.10 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 40 mg Pb/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Tetraethyl lead (78-00-2) 0.3 mg/m3 4 mg/m3 40 mg/m3 LEL = 18000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Lead Compounds N420 & 313
Tetraethyl lead 78-00-2 100 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313c P110

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names