Lead

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Urban Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) - EPA specified greatest potential health threat in urban areas

Metals -> Lead Compounds, Inorganic

Carcinogens

Trace element

11.3437 at 61 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink

11.34 g/cm³

11.34

11.3 @25 °C

11.34

Insoluble (NTP, 1992)

Solubility in water, g/l: (practically insoluble)

Insoluble

3164 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)

1740 °C

3164 °F

1749 °C @760 [mm Hg]

3164 °F

621.5 °F (NTP, 1992)

621 °F

327.5 °C

621.5 °F

327.462 °C

621 °F

1.77 mmHg (NTP, 1992)

0 mmHg (approx)

0 mmHg (approx)

Soft silver-bluish white to gray metal. (NTP, 1992)

Dry Powder; Wet Solid; Other Solid; Wet Solid; Other Solid; Large Crystals; Dry Powder; Other Solid; CBI

A heavy, ductile, soft, gray solid; Inorganic lead includes lead oxides, metallic lead, and lead salts (including organic salts such as lead soaps but excluding lead arsenate). [NIOSH]

BLUE SILVERY-WHITE-TO-GREY POWDER.

Soft silver-bluish white to gray metal.

A heavy, ductile, soft, gray solid.

Danger

H360FD: May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

P203, P260, P263, P264, P270, P273, P280, P318, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Danger

H360FD: May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

P203, P260, P263, P264, P270, P273, P280, P318, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Chemical: Lead

Lead is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Lead are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 18-04-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/16063

Restricted substance: Lead

Substance: Lead

Lead: HSNO Approval: HSR002809 Approved with controls

Flash point data for this compound are not available, however, it is probably non-combustible. (NTP, 1992)

Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead has many different uses. It is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), and devices to shield X-rays. Because of health concerns, lead from gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced in recent years.CDC uses a blood lead reference value (BLRV) of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) to identify children with higher levels of lead in their blood compared to most children. This level is based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead values among U.S. children ages 1""5 years from the 2015""2016 and 2017""2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. Children with blood lead levels at or above the BLRV represent those at the top 2.5% with the highest blood lead levels. To learn more about CDC's updated recommendations on children's blood lead levels, please visit:http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ACCLPP/blood_lead_levels.htm.

Lead is used in the manufacture of batteries, metal products and ammunition. Exposure to lead can occur from breathing contaminated air in or near workplaces that process lead or lead materials, as well as from incidentally ingesting dust or paint chips in houses with lead-based paint. Lead can cause effects on the blood, as well as the nervous, immune, renal and cardiovascular systems. Early childhood and prenatal exposures are associated with slowed cognitive development, learning deficits and other effects. Exposure to high amounts of lead can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, severely damage the brain and kidneys, and may cause reproductive effects. Large doses of some lead compounds have caused cancer in lab animals.

At blood lead levels above 900 ug/L (90 ug/dl), poisoning can cause acute lead encephalopathy. Peripheral neuropathy results from levels above 600 ug/L (60 ug/dl). Most reports of lead-related symptoms (fatigue, abdominal pain, and arthralgia) begin at blood levels greater than 600 ug/L. Typical concentrations of lead in surface water in the USA is between 5 and 30 ug/L. Typical intake of lead in the USA is 2 to 9 ug per day from food, water, and beverages. In an analysis of PbB and neurobehavioral test results from 40,000 participants from NHANES III, no statistically significant relationships between blood lead concentration and neurobehavioral test performance were found. . . . Tibia lead, representative of cortical bone, has a residence time of 25 to 30 years and serves as a biomarker of cumulative dose. . . . With additional study, lead in bone could be a viable measure of lead body burden, but at this point in time, the database is insufficient. [ACGIH: BEI Documentation] Heavy lead exposure causes anemia; Lead inhibits hemoglobin synthesis (ALAD and other enzymes), and also shortens lifespan of RBCs with resulting hemolysis. [Nordberg, p. 939-40] Exposure to high air concentrations of lead can precipitate hemolytic anemia. The anemia of chronic lead toxicity, the primary hematologic effect of lead exposures, is enhanced by shortened red cell survival as well as by inhibition of hemoglobin synthesis. [LaDou, p. 265] At blood levels above 50-60 ug/dl, suppression of heme synthesis causes anemia. [Rom, p. 978] Lead-exposed workers may develop proximal renal tubular damage and progressive renal insufficiency. [Rom, p. 966] Lead can produce slight hepatic injury in experimental animals. [Zimmerman, p. 419] There is strong positive data associating lead exposure with spontaneous abortions and prematurity in pregnant women, neurological dysfunction in children and decreased sperm counts in men. [ATSDR Case Studies #29] The OSHA standard requires periodic determination of blood lead in workers exposed at or above action level (30 ug/m3) for more than 30 days per year. [ATSDR ToxProfiles] About 90% of pre-1940 homes contain lead-based paints, while about 60% of 1960-1979 homes contain significant amounts of lead in paint. The use of lead piping and lead solder in plumbing has been prohibited since 1986. [Coluccio VM. Lead-Based Paint Hazards. Wiley, John & Sons; 1997, p. 8-15] Inorganic lead compounds are probable human carcinogens. Organic lead compounds are not classifiable. [IARC] In contrast to inorganic lead, organic compounds are absorbed readily through the skin and into the CNS. [Sullivan, p. 979] Trabecular lead (measured in the patella) reflects exposure in the last 10 years, while cortical bone (measured in the mid-tibia) reflects lifetime exposure. [PMID 21788910] Tetraethyl & tetramethyl lead (CAS # 78-00-2 & 75-74-1) are covered separately.

In the presence of carbon, the combination of chlorine trifluoride with aluminum, copper, lead, magnesium, silver, tin, or zinc results in a violent reaction [Mellor 2, Supp. 1: 1956]. A solution of sodium azide in copper pipe with lead joints formed copper and lead azide, both are detonating compounds [Klotz 1973]. Sodium acetylide becomes pyrophoric when mixed with metals like lead. Mixtures of trioxane with 60% hydrogen peroxide in contact with metallic lead when heated detonated. Lead containing rubber ignited in a nitric acid atmosphere. Lead is incompatible with strong oxidants such as: ammonium nitrate, chlorine trifluoride, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth. Refer immediately for medical attention.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Lead in blood = 200 ug/L (20 ug/100 ml); sampling time not critical; The BEI cannot be applied to exposure to tetraethyl lead or other organic lead compounds. [TLVs and BEIs]

0.004 [mg/m3], as Pb, inhalable fraction (excluding Lead Arsenate and Lead Chromate)[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Cancer, Developmental (effects while organs are developing), Hematological (Blood Forming), Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Reproductive (Producing Children)

Eyes, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, kidneys, blood, gingival tissue

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Metallic taste. Abdominal pain. Headache. Confusion. Drowsiness. Unconsciousness. Convulsions.

Redness.

See Inhalation.

lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), insomnia; facial pallor; anorexia, weight loss, malnutrition; constipation, abdominal pain, colic; anemia; gingival lead line; tremor; paralysis wrist, ankles; encephalopathy; kidney disease; irritation eyes; hypertension

Lead

Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans

Volume 23: (1980) Some Metals and Metallic Compounds

1987

1987

1.2e-05

CALEPA

0.0085

CALEPA

Lead

01049

Trace element

15

At tap; Action level (Treatment Technique)

Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP

2.00e+02

8.00e+02

1.50e-01

1.00e+01

1.00e+01

9.00e+00

2.00e+02

8.00e+02

1.50e-01

1.00e+01

1.00e+01

Volatile

The primary use of lead is in the manufacture of batteries. Lead is also used in the production of lead alloys and metal products, such as sheet lead, solder (but no longer in food cans), and pipes, and in, ammunition, cable covering, and other products. Its use in ceramic glazes, paint and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced. Tetraethyl lead was used in gasoline to increase the octane rating until lead additives were phased out and eventually banned from use in on-road gasoline in the U.S. by the EPA by 1996. Leaded gasoline is still used for propeller-driven aircraft and some race cars.

MINING OR SMELTING: Produce lead fume by primary or secondary smelting--includes brass, copper, and lead foundries and scrap metal recycling operations; MANUFACTURING: Lead-acid battery; crystal glass; lead joints/babbitt; pewter; fishing weights; leaded or stained glass; paint and ink; leaded plastics; ammunition; electronic components (ceramic coated capacitors and resistors); electrical components using fritted glass; lead pipe, sheet, solder, type metal, cable shielding, or anodes; ceramics (mix glaze & fire kiln); mix and weigh lead powders; USING: Weld, cut, braze, grind, sand or blast old paint: houses and buildings (painted before 1978); bridges; ships; steel towers; water, petroleum or underground tanks; Produce lead fume or dust by heating, machining, or spraying lead products; radiator repair; firing ranges; In a 2003 survey of industries using lead in New Jersey, 83% of lead was used to make automotive batteries. The second highest use was metal production (primary and scrap recycling). The third was cable and wire production. The fourth was making leaded compounds in plastics, pastes, and caulks. [PMID 17558800] The highest proportion of adults with high blood leads are employed in manufacturing (72%), construction (14%), and mining (6%). Nonoccupational exposures account for 4% of high blood leads (shooting firearms, remodeling, painting, retained bullets, and lead casting. [Reference #2] In 2010, about 400 children died from lead poisoning in two villages in Nigeria involved in gold extraction from ores containing up to 18% lead. [Nordberg, p. 839]

Organic lead was added to gasoline in the US until January 1996. Lead allowable in US paint was reduced to 1% in 1971 and to 0.006% in 1977. [ATSDR Case Studies, Lead Toxicity]

Steel Producing [Category: Industry]

Ceramics making [Category: Hobbies]

Substance listed with specific concentration in tattoo ink and/or permanent make up according to EU Commission Regulation 2020/2081. The concentration limit (by weight) is 0.00007%.

Chemical Classes -> Inorganic substances

Food Contaminant -> METALS -> JECFA Functional Classes

All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing

Lead: ACTIVE