ABSTRACT
Governmental regulations have focused on two major aspects of concern from tetraalkyllead compounds: their innate toxicity and the contribution that their combustion products make to the overall environmental pollution from inorganic lead. In most industrialized countries, organolead compounds are covered by regulations concerning various stages of the life cycle of chemicals, from their production through transport and sale to their final consumption or disposal. The regulations are generally passed by parliament, but in some countries local bodies can issue orders or by-laws applicable within certain regions. Several national regulations for the labeling and sale of leaded gasoline have been issued. Many countries have planning regulations which designate areas as residential, agricultural, industrial, or as recreational. Developments in industrialized countries indicate that organolead compounds are slowly being phased out as octane-boosting gasoline additives due to their contribution of inorganic lead to environmental pollution. Regulations concerning the organolead compounds per se are covered by more general legislation and recommendations regarding toxic substances.
