Organolead compounds, toxicities

Seinen W, Vos JG, van Spanje I, Snoek M, Brands R, Hooykaas H (1977a) Toxicity of organotin compounds. II. Comparative in vivo and in vitro studies with various organotin and organolead compounds in different animal species with special emphasis on lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 42(1) 197-212. 

The major organolead compounds found in the environment are the tetraalkyllead compounds and their di- and trialkyl decomposition products. Elevated levels of tetraalkyl-leads have two possible sources either (i) anthropogenic leaded petroleum inputs or (ii) environmental methylation of natural lead compounds. While the former is well established, the latter is the subject of some controversy in the literature. Interest in the environmental methylation process derives from the increased toxicity of methyllead compounds compared to their inorganic analogs. 

Organolead compounds are more toxic than ionic forms. Since methylation of ionic lead in vivo or in stored tissues is possible, and since some liver enzyme systems are capable of converting tetraethyllead to the more toxic triethyllead species, it would appear that the recommended Canadian... 

In what sense are the toxicities and environmental effects of organolead compounds particularly noteworthy ... 

Practical use of organolead compounds will be hardly extended due to their high toxicity and the possibility of sustainable pollution of the environment by the lead compounds. In this connection it must be indicated that the production of tetraethyllead, which achieved 270,000 tons by 1964 only in the USA, started to be reduced at the end of the 20th century. 

With few exceptions, organolead compounds are sufficiently stable to air, water and fight to permit their safe handling without any unusual procedures. Because of toxicity considerations, however, organolead compounds should always be handled in well-ventilated hoods. (See Section 8). 

The mechanism of intoxication by organolead compounds is still not understood completely, although toxic action by many individual compounds has been reported. Generalization is not allowed by the scanty literature, except for tetraethyllead, tetramethyllead, and the related tri- and dialkyllead salts 86,87,100,101,106,146,214,235,276,278,302, 303). The toxicology of these compounds has been reviewed recently... 

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