Tetraethyllead

Acute Toxicity: inhalation

Administrative data

Endpoint:

acute toxicity: inhalation

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment. Reliability assessment as per that quoted in IUCLID 4 (2000) data review

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Further studies on the toxicity of some tetra and trialkyl lead compounds

Author:

Cremer, J.E., Callaway, S.

Year:

1961

Bibliographic source:

British Journal of Industrial Medicine Vol 18, pp 277-282

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Inhalation exposures were carried out in a glass chamber. Groups of 4 rats were exposed to TEL vapour with only their heads in contact with the vapour. Pure solutions of TEL were injected into the chamber with the air flow maintained at 50 litres per minute. Samples of air were taken at intervals during the 60 minute exposure period and analysed for TEL content. Lethal doses and their 95% confidence limits were calculated by reported method

GLP compliance:

no

Remarks:

Test completed before GLP implemented

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Tetraethyllead

EC Number:

201-075-4

EC Name:

Tetraethyllead

Cas Number:

78-00-2

Molecular formula:

C8H20Pb

IUPAC Name:

tetraethylplumbane

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

other: Albino

Sex:

not specified

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

175-230 g in weight

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

inhalation

Type of inhalation exposure:

head only

Vehicle:

air

Details on inhalation exposure:

Pure TEL in 50 l / min air flow
7 sample groups of 12 -20 rats with each group receiving a different dose level of TEL

Analytical verification of test atmosphere concentrations:

yes

Remarks:

Polargraphical measurement of TEL content after conversion to lead chloride

Duration of exposure:

60 min

Concentrations:

0.095 mg/l, 0.19 mg/l, 0.37 mg/l, 0.77 mg/l, 1.58 mg/l, 2.77 mg/l and 4.84 mg/l

No. of animals per sex per dose:

0.095 mg/l: 16
0.19 mg/l: 16
0.37 mg/l: 20
0.77 mg/l: 16
1.58 mg/l: 16
2.77 mg/l: 20
4.84 mg/l: 12

Control animals:

not specified

Results and discussion

Effect levels

Effect levels 1

Dose descriptor:

LC50

Effect level:

ca. 0.85 mg/L air (analytical)

Based on:

test mat.

Exp. duration:

1 h

Effect levels 2

Dose descriptor:

LC100

Effect level:

< 1.58 mg/L air (analytical)

Based on:

test mat.

Exp. duration:

1 h

Mortality:

0.095 mg/l: 0/16
0.19 mg/l: 0/16
0.37 mg/l: 0/20
0.77 mg/l: 3/16
1.58 mg/l: 16/16
2.77 mg/l: 20/20
4.84 mg/l: 12/12

Clinical signs:

other: Signs of mild poisoning with slow recovery at low doses

Any other information on results incl. tables

The development of signs of toxicity from inhalation were the same as similar studies with intraveneous dosing. Hyperexcitability and continuous body tremours were observed at doses below the lethal dose.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

very toxic

Remarks:

Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: expert judgment

Conclusions:

An LC50 value of 0.85 mg/l was determined. An LC100 value of <1.58 mg/l is also reported

Executive summary:

The research was based on 7 sample groups of 12 -20 rats with each group receiving a different dose level of TEL. All animals displayed behaviour changes, signs of mild posioning and some had cyanosis at lower dose rates. All animals dosed at 0.37 mg/l and below survived.

Deaths started to be observed at the 0.77 mg/l dose rate with an LC50 value of 0.85 mg/l determined. Animals dosed at the higher three dose levels all died. The LC100 was reported as 1.58 mg/l.