Baby Safety / Compounds / Tetraethyl lead (TEL)

Is Tetraethyl lead (TEL) safe for babies and kids?

Extreme risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Tetraethyl lead (TEL) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is tetraethyl lead (tel)?

The IUPAC name is tetraethylplumbane.

Also known as: tetraethylplumbane, Tetraethyllead, Plumbane, tetraethyl-, TETRAETHYL LEAD.

IUPAC name
tetraethylplumbane
CAS number
78-00-2
Molecular formula
C8H20Pb
Molecular weight
323.0 g/mol
SMILES
CC[Pb](CC)(CC)CC
PubChem CID
6511

Risk for babies

Extreme risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Tetraethyl lead (TEL) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Very high risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Tetraethyl lead (TEL), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

5 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Tetraethyl lead (TEL). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / NTP RoC—Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 4 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 4 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter tetraethyl lead (tel)

  • Contaminated Water — Mining site runoff, Industrial discharge areas, Drinking water from old infrastructure
  • Soil Contamination — Industrial sites, Smelter areas, Battery recycling facilities
  • Food Chain — Fish from contaminated waters, Shellfish from polluted areas, Crops grown in contaminated soil

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Tetraethyl lead (TEL):

  • Safer process chemistry; Green chemistry alternatives; Exposure controls
    Trade-offs: Requires R&D investment to redesign synthesis routes; may reduce yield or throughput initially; long-term benefits include reduced waste treatment costs, regulatory compliance, and worker safety; 12 Principles of Green Chemistry framework available.
    Relative cost: 2-5×

Frequently asked questions

Is tetraethyl lead (tel) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Tetraethyl lead (TEL) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain tetraethyl lead (tel)?

Tetraethyl lead (TEL) appears in: Mining site runoff (Contaminated water); Industrial discharge areas (Contaminated water); Industrial sites (Soil contamination); Smelter areas (Soil contamination); Fish from contaminated waters (Food chain).

What should I do if my child is exposed to tetraethyl lead (tel)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Why do regulators disagree about tetraethyl lead (tel)?

Tetraethyl lead (TEL) has been classified by 5 agencies including EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.

See Tetraethyl lead (TEL) in the baby app

Look up products containing tetraethyl lead (tel), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. Needleman et al.: Deficits in Psychologic and Classroom Performance of Children with Elevated Dentine Lead Levels — NEJM Leaded Gasoline IQ Study (1979) — study
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile: Lead — TEL Antiknock Additive History, Gasoline Phase-out, Blood Lead Decline, Neurocognitive Effects, Soil Legacy Contamination (2020) — regulatory
  3. US EPA: Leaded Gasoline Phase-out Final Rule — Complete Ban Effective January 1, 1996; Blood Lead Trend Data; Environmental Lead Burden Reduction (1996) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →