Lead monoxide

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

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

Fresh air, rest.

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

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

Extinguishant: Dry sand, dry dolomite, or dry graphite. /Inorganic lead/

If material on fire or involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Use "alcohol" foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide. /Lead compounds, NOS/

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep in a dry place. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects.

Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for lead: Concentration process: Biological treatment. /Lead/

The following wastewater treatment technologies have been investigated for lead: Concentration process: Chemical precipitation. /Lead/

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for Lead(II) Oxide (17 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D008, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

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.

Chemical Treatability of Lead; Concentration Process: Biological Treatment; Chemical Classification: Metal; Scale of Study: Respirometer Study; Results of Study: Oxygen uptake inhibited. /Inorganic lead cmpd/

Chemical Treatability of Lead; Concentration Process: Biological Treatment; Chemical Classification: Metal; Scale of Study: Laboratory Scale; Type of Wastewater Used: Synthetic Wastewater; Results of Study: No stimulation or inhibition of biological growth (study of Nitrosomonas bacteria). /Inorganic lead cmpd/

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.

After being exposed to a special brick mortar that contained 71% lead(II) oxide, four members of an 11-man crew of bricklayers in western Washington state developed symptomatic lead poisoning(1). Peak blood lead levels (BLLs) for the four workers ranged from 88 to 123 ug/dL, in May 1989(1). In March 1999, two Hispanic children residing in Stanislaus County, CA had blood lead level (BLL) of 88.0 and 69.0 ug/dL after using a Mexican folk remedy called greta, that contains lead(II) oxide(2).

Lead poisoning is usually treated with chelation therapy using DMSA, EDTA, or dimercaprol. (L21)

Lead poisoning is usually treated with chelation therapy using DMSA, EDTA, or dimercaprol. (L21)

Heterogeneous chemistry of nitrogen dioxide with lead-containing particles is investigated to better understand lead metal mobilization in the environment. In particular, PbO particles, a model lead-containing compound due to its widespread presence as a component of lead paint and as naturally occurring minerals, massicot, and litharge, are exposed to nitrogen dioxide at different relative humidity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that upon exposure to nitrogen dioxide the surface of PbO particles reacts to form adsorbed nitrates and lead nitrate thin films with the extent of nitrate formation relative humidity dependent. NO(2)-exposed PbO particles are found to have an increase in the amount of lead that dissolves in aqueous suspensions at circumneutral pH compared to particles not exposed. These results point to the potential importance and impact that heterogeneous chemistry with trace atmospheric gases can have on increasing solubility and therefore the mobilization of heavy metals, such as lead, in the environment. This study also shows that surface intermediates that form, such as adsorbed lead nitrates, can yield higher concentrations of lead in water systems. These water systems can include drinking water, groundwater, estuaries, and lakes.

Chelating agents in plasma reduce the proportion of metals bound to proteins. EDTA Ca is energetic on all metals mainly on lead, cadmium, and zinc. N-acetyl-DL penicillamin is less energetic. Meso 2,3 dimercapto succinic acid, and 2,3 dimercapto-1-propan sulfonic acid have an effect only on Lead but in a very light way. ... /Metal oxides/

30 male and 30 female hamsters (Syrian golden, 6 wk old) were intratracheally injected with 1 mg lead oxide, alone or with 1 mg benzo(a)pyrene once a wk for 10 wk. Lead oxide alone induced alveolar metaplasia (19) and adenomatous proliferation (3) in the lungs. In combination with benzo(a) pyrene, lead oxide caused adenoma (9) and adenocarcinomas (1) in the peripheral area of the lungs, as well as alveolar metaplasia (23) and adenomatous proliferation (5).

The pulmonary toxicity of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and lead(II) oxide alone or in combination was studied in rats after a single intratracheal instillation. The lead content in the lungs and the whole blood was determined and it has been found that the clearance of lead from the lung was delayed by dithiocarbamate complex formation, which probably had a role in increased IgA levels in the bronchoalveolar fluid and the induction of local immune response. The combined exposure gave rise to calcium deposits in the lungs both extra- and intracellularly after 1 month of exposure. Both separate and combined exposure invoked permanent injury in membranes or dystrophic changes in the cytoplasm of pneumocytes, which may initiate and generate a series of events leading to fibrosing alveolitis.

Lead is a neurotoxin and has been known to cause brain damage and reduced cognitive capacity, especially in children. Lead exposure can result in nephropathy, as well as blood disorders such as high blood pressure and anemia. Lead also exhibits reproductive toxicity and can results in miscarriages and reduced sperm production. (L21)

Lead is a neurotoxin and has been known to cause brain damage and reduced cognitive capacity, especially in children. Lead exposure can result in nephropathy, as well as blood disorders such as high blood pressure and anemia. Lead also exhibits reproductive toxicity and can results in miscarriages and reduced sperm production. (L21)

LC50; Species: Gambusia affinis (Western mosquitofish) adult; Conditions: freshwater, static, 18-20 °C, pH 7.1-7.2; Concentration: >56,000 mg/L for 24 hr /formulated product/

LC50; Species: Gambusia affinis (Western mosquitofish) adult; Conditions: freshwater, static, 18-20 °C, pH 7.1-7.2; Concentration: >56,000 mg/L for 48 hr /formulated product/

LC50; Species: Gambusia affinis (Western mosquitofish) adult; Conditions: freshwater, static, 18-20 °C, pH 7.1-7.2; Concentration: >56,000 mg/L for 96 hr /formulated product/

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age <24 hr neonate; Conditions: freshwater, static, pH 7.5-9.1; Concentration: 132 ug/L for 48 hr /dissolved Pb/

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age <24 hr neonate; Conditions: freshwater, static, pH 7.5-9.1; Concentration: 388000 ug/L for 48 hr /total Pb ion/

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Lead(II) oxide will not leach in soil because of its low solubility. In soil, lead(II) oxide is expected to convert to more insoluble forms such as lead sulfate, lead phosphate, and lead sulfite. It also forms complexes with organic matter and clay minerals that limits its mobility(1).

AQUATIC FATE: If released into water, lead(II) oxide will partly settle out due to its low solubility. In the dissolved state it will form ligands, the dominant ones varying with pH. In freshwater systems, the most important ligands are HCO3, CO3, OH and (OH)2, whereas in seawater they are Cl, CO3, (OH), (OH)2, Cl2, and CL3(1).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Lead(II) oxide released to the atmosphere will be in particulate form which will be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition. (SRC)

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

Oral (L136) ; inhalation (L136); dermal (L136)

Oral (L136) ; inhalation (L136); dermal (L136)

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Lead oxide exists in 2 forms: red to reddish-yellow, tetragonal crystals and yellow, orthorhombic crystals. It is used in manufacturing of storage batteries, ceramic products, paints, and rubber. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Acute lead encephalopathy in early infancy has been reported in a Middle Eastern study for 14 infants following the use of Bint al Dahab, a traditional medicine containing 91% lead monoxide. Twenty-seven one- to six-year-old children of 22 workers at a storage battery plant at high risk of exposure to lead oxide were compared with 32 one- to six-year-old children in 22 neighborhood control families for evidence of increased lead absorption. Workers' children had significantly higher blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin values than control children. Chromosomes were analyzed in cultured lymphocytes of 44 male workers from a lead oxide factory, and from a control group of 15 nonexposed individuals. Lead concentration in blood ranged from 30 to 75 ug/100 mL in exposed subjects and from 15 to 35 ug/10 mL in controls. Length of exposure to lead ranged from one month to 11 years eight months. In subjects occupationally exposed to lead, a significant increase in chromatid and chromosome aberrations was found. The frequency of such findings parallels exposure time to lead. ANIMAL STUDIES: 30 male and 30 female hamsters were intratracheally injected with 1 mg lead oxide, alone or with 1 mg benzo(a)pyrene once a wk for 10 wk. Lead oxide alone induced alveolar metaplasia (19) and adenomatous proliferation (3) in the lungs. In combination with benzo(a) pyrene, lead oxide caused adenoma (9) and adenocarcinomas (1) in the peripheral area of the lungs, as well as alveolar metaplasia (23) and adenomatous proliferation (5). In male rats inhalation of lead oxide did not affect fertility, but seminal vesicle weight dropped significantly, which might suggest an alteration in the pattern of testosterone secretion. In the male progeny of sires that inhaled lead, the number of epididymal spermatozoa decreased but this did not interfere with fertility. Rabbits exposed to PbO at 30 ug/cu m for 4 days (3 hr/day) were sacrificed and their lungs lavaged immediately, 24 hr, and 72 hr after the final exposure. Lactate dehydrogenase (a marker of lung cell damage) and lysozyme activity (a marker of lysosome permeability), measured in the lavage fluid, were significantly increased 24 and 72 hr after exposure. PbO produced neutrophil infiltration. Effects on macrophage functions were also noted. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: Lead oxide has a significant effect on behavior, morphology, and histopathology of earthworms (Eisenia fetida, Savigny).

Lead mimics other biologically important metals, such as zinc, calcium, and iron, competing as cofactors for many of their respective enzymatic reactions. For example, lead has been shown to competitively inhibit calcium's binding of calmodulin, interferring with neurotransmitter release. It exhibits similar competitive inhibition at the NMDA receptor and protein kinase C, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. Lead also affects the nervous system by impairing regulation of dopamine synthesis and blocking evoked release of acetylcholine. However, it's main mechanism of action occurs by inhibiting delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, an enzyme vital in the biosynthesis of heme, which is a necesssary cofactor of hemoglobin. (T4, A20, A22, L136)

/OTHER TERRESTRIAL SPECIES/ ... A study was carried out to monitor lead toxicity in soil, using adult earthworms (Eisenia fetida, Savigny). Leaded gasoline (TEL) and lead oxide are 383- and 211-fold more toxic than unleaded gasoline (MTBE) in 7 days of exposure and 627- and 290-fold more toxic in 14 days, respectively. Results indicate that the presence of TEL in leaded gasoline and lead oxide has a significant effect on behavior, morphology, and histopathology of earthworms. Absorption of TEL into the tissues is comparatively less than that of lead oxide but toxic effects were severe. Rupture of the cuticle, extrusion of coelomic fluid and inflexible metameric segmentation were observed, causing desensitization of the posterior region leading to fragmentation in earthworms.

/OTHER TERRESTRIAL SPECIES/ ... Woodlice (Porcellio scaber) /were exposed/ to treated soil litter containing between 100 and 12,800 mg/kg dry weight of lead, as lead oxide, over 64 wk. No significant effect was found on adult survival, number of young produced or on survival of young at exposures up to 6400 mg lead/kg. There was a significant reduction in all three parameters after exposure to 12,800 mg/kg.

Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting.

Symptions of chronic lead poisoning include reduced cognitive abilities, nausea, abdominal pain, irritability, insomnia, metal taste in the mouth, excess lethargy or hyperactivity, chest pain, headache and, in extreme cases, seizures, comas, and death. There are also associated gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, which are common in acute poisoning. (A2, L21)

Symptions of chronic lead poisoning include reduced cognitive abilities, nausea, abdominal pain, irritability, insomnia, metal taste in the mouth, excess lethargy or hyperactivity, chest pain, headache and, in extreme cases, seizures, comas, and death. There are also associated gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, which are common in acute poisoning. (A2, L21)

D008; A solid waste containing lead may or may not become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste. /Lead/

National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for lead and its compounds, measured as elemental lead by a reference method based on appendix G to this part, or by an equivalent method, are: 1.5 ug/cu m, maximum arithmetic mean averaged over a calendar quarter. /Lead and its compounds, as Pb/

Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Lead compounds are included on this list. /Lead compounds/

(AZ) ARIZONA 20 ug/L /Lead/

(ME) MAINE 10 ug/L /Lead/

Used in ointments, plasters, pottery glazes, glass flux, lead glass, varnishes, metal cements, colorants (brass, bronze, hair, nails, wool, and horn), and rubber pigments; Also used to make boiled linseed oil and to assay gold and silver ores; [Merck Index] Used in storage batteries, high-temperature lubricants, capacitors, electrophotographic plates, transducers, and magnetic materials; [HSDB]

Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

Ceramics making [Category: Hobbies]

For lead oxide (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 048002) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

Storage batteries, ceramic cements and fluxes, pottery and glazes, glass, chromium pigments, oil refining, varnishes, paints, enamels; assay of precious metal ores, manufacture of red lead, cement (with glycerol), acid-resisting compositions, match-head compositions, other lead compounds, rubber accelerator.

In ointments, plasters; preparing soln of lead subacetate. Glazing pottery; glass flux for painting on porcelain and glass; lead glass; varnishes; with glycerol as metal cement; producing iridescent colors on brass and bronze; coloring sulfur-containing substances, e.g., hair, nails, wool, horn; manufacturing artificial tortoise shell and horn; pigment for rubber; manufacturing boiled linseed oil; in assay of gold and silver ores.

(1972) 4.48X10+8 G (NONPIGMENT LEAD OXIDES)

(1975) 1.54X10+9 G (INCL RED LEAD OXIDE)

(1972) 1.39X10+10 G

(1975) 1.09X10+10 G

2023: 25,000,000 - <40,000,000 lb

(1972) 1.27X10+11 G

(1975) 1.22X10+11 G

(1998) >1 million-10 million pounds

(2002) >1 million-10 million pounds

Non-confidential 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on the production and use of chemicals manufactured or imported into the United States. Chemical: Lead oxide (PbO). National Production Volume: 100,000,000 - 250,000,000 lb/yr.

16% in the manufacture of glass, glaze and vitreous enamel; 5% as an auxiliary drier in varnishes; 1% as an activator in rubber compounding; 1% as a chemical intermediate for sodium plumbite; 77% in the manufacture of storage battery plates and in other applications (1972)

Lead oxide is the dominant commercial compound of lead, consuming 32.4% of the 1985 US lead consumption for storage batteries alone. Another 6.3% of lead production is used for oxides principally in paints, glass and ceramics products, and other pigments and chemicals.

1985 Consumption: Ceramics, 65,413 metric tons; Chrome pigments, 3,794 metric tons; Paints, 3,397 metric tons, Rubber, 739 metric tons; Other, 10,590 metric tons.

1997 Consumption: Storage battery oxides: 761,000 metric tons. /Storage battery oxides/

By oxidizing metallic lead in air. Various forms of lead and various temperatures from 500-1000 °C are used.

... Produced commercially by the reaction of molten lead with air or oxygen in a furnace.

In the ball mill process, metallic lead balls are tumbled in air to produce a "leady" oxide, which typically contains 20 to 35 % free lead. The Barton pot process oxidizes droplets of molten lead at ca. 430 °C to produce either litharge or leady litharge.

There are several principal processes for producing litharge, all involving the oxidation of elemental lead at elevated temperature. Molten lead may be held in a cupelling furnace at about 1020 C until oxidized to molten litharge, or molten lead at about 510 C may be atomized into a flame, where it burns vigorously, forming "sublimed" or "fumed" litharge. Alternatively, molten lead is fumed from the surface and collected in a baghouse. In all of the processes, the product must be cooled quickly to below about 300 C to avoid further oxidation, forming red lead.

Grades: CP /chemically pure/, fused, powdered.

/Insecticide lead arsenate/ is formulated as pastes or powders. Pastes contain at least 28.4% PbO, 14% As2O5; powder contains at least 62% PbO, 32% As2O5 ...

... Lead forms a ... black oxide which normally contains 60-80% lead monoxide, the remainder being finely divided metallic lead.

Bint al Dahab, a traditional medicine containing 91% lead monoxide

Primary Metal Manufacturing

Lead oxide (PbO): ACTIVE

For many years, the plates of lead/acid batteries have been produced from leady oxide, a mixture of finely divided lead ('free-lead') and lead monoxide. Although this material is generally satisfactory, it suffers from the disadvantages that it is variable in composition and requires complicated and lengthy processing after pasting to remove the residual free-lead. Plates made from leady oxide also require cycling before they achieve their full performance, and this can result in either depressed initial capacity or additional processing cost. There is a growing trend towards the use of pure lead monoxide for the production of positive plates.

In the earliest lead/acid battery, active material was formed electrochemically on the surface of a sheet of lead, which also served as the plate itself. Since that time, lead compounds (i.e., litharge, red lead, leady oxide) have been used to form the active mass, with better efficiency and performance. Many lead oxide production methods have existed, the predominant two are the 'ball mill' and the 'Barton pot' processes.

Azarcon (lead tetroxide) and Greta (lead oxide) are used by an estimated 7.2-12.1% of Mexican-Hispanic families for treatment of empacho. In Spanish, empacho means "blocked intestine" but it refers to any type of chronic digestive problem, including diverse symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, apathy, and lethargy. Azarcon and Greta are fine powders with total lead contents varying from 70% to >90%.

Hispanic children exposed to litargirio (also known as litharge or lead monoxide), a yellow or peach-colored powder used as an antiperspirant/deodorant and a folk remedy in the Hispanic community.