Tetraethyl health hazards

At one time, very large amounts of lead were used in the production of tetraethyl lead, a compound that reduces the amount of knocking in an internal combnstion engine. The problem with tetraethyl lead, however, is that it tends to break down within an engine, releasing free lead to the environment. Because of the health hazards that lead poses for humans and other animals, tetraethyl lead has been banned for use as a gasoline additive. 

To date, the Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area in Germany (DFG) has published BAT values for the following metals aluminum, lead, manganese, metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds, tetraethyl- and tetramethyl lead, and vanadium pentoxide (see DFG... 

Beginning in the 1920s, the compound tetraethyl lead was added to gasoline to improve performance. Unfortunately, the lead showed up in motor vehicle exhaust, where its inhalation posed a serious health hazard. In response to this problem, the Clean Air Act mandated a reduction in lead emissions. It was also discovered that lead in motor vehicle exhaust tended to coat the surface of the catalyst in the catalytic converter, rendering the catalyst ineffective. To remedy both problems, unleaded gasoline was introduced in 1974. Leaded gasoline continued... 

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