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TETRAMETHYLLEAD

6.1 - Poison 3 - Flammable liquid
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 75-74-1   (TETRAMETHYLLEAD)
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison
  • Flammable Liquid
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Tetramethyl lead (as Pb)external_link
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
2 3
W
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Colorless liquid, dyed red, orange or blue. Has a slight musty odor. Used as an antiknock additive for gasolines; component of mixed alkyl leads for gasoline additives. (EPA, 1998)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Highly Flammable
  • Strong Reducing Agent
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Thermal decomposition is likely to take the form of vapors at the surface. Rapid decomposition will cause container to explode. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Toxic gases are generated in fire. Avoid strong oxidizers such as sulfuryl chloride or potassium permanganate. Avoid fire, heat, physical damage, and strong oxidizers. Starts to decompose at about 212F. If confined, may explode or detonate at high temperatures. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Vapors are very toxic. Fatal lead poisoning may occur by ingestion, vapor inhalation or skin absorption. Several cases of acute toxicity, usually in the form of degenerative brain disease, have been described following occupational exposure. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
TETRAMETHYLLEAD is sensitive to heat. This compound can react with strong oxidizers. (NTP, 1992)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [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
Use water to keep fire exposed containers cool. If leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse vapors or flush spill. For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzle; if this is impossible withdraw from area and let fire burn.

On fires in which containers are not exposed, use water spray, dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Caution : Flammable liquid. Avoid sources of extreme heat or ignition including sparks or fire. When burned, toxic fumes of lead oxide will be emitted.

Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors.

Small spills: take up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tetramethyl lead (as Pb)external link:

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
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Effects may be delayed for hours to days. Caution is advised.

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

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tetramethyllead 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 tetramethyllead.
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 tetramethyllead.
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)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C4H12Pb
Flash Point: 100.4°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 1.8 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -17.5°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 22 mmHg at 68°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 6.5 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.995 (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 230°F at 10 mmHg Decomposes above 212°F (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 267.33 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 8.50 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
Tetramethyl lead (75-74-1) 0.45 mg/m3 4 mg/m3 40 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

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
Plumbane, tetramethyl- 75-74-1 100 pounds 100 pounds 10000 pounds
Tetramethyllead 75-74-1 100 pounds 100 pounds 313c 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Tetramethyllead; [Plumbane, tetramethyl-] 75-74-1 1.00 % 10000 pounds toxic

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Tetramethyl Lead 75-74-1 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • LEAD TETRAMETHYL
  • LEAD, TETRAMETHYL
  • LEAD, TETRAMETHYL-
  • METHYLPLUMBANE
  • MOTOR FUEL ANTIKNOCK COMPOUNDS (CONTAIN LEAD)
  • PLUMBANE, TETRAMETHYL-
  • TETRAMETHYL LEAD
  • TETRAMETHYL LEAD, TOLUENE BLEND NO.2
  • TETRAMETHYL PLUMBANE
  • TETRAMETHYLLEAD
  • TETRAMETHYLPLUMBANE
  • TML

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