ABSTRACT
The toxicity of organolead compounds is generally high, but varies according to the chemical structure and between animal species. In rabbits, uptake from oral administration of tetraethyllead is somewhat slower, as measured by toxic effects, than that from dermal absorption. Tetraalkyllead compounds are readily absorbed through the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Besides the chemical characteristics, the absorption depends on the dose, exposure time, and animal species. The organic lead absorbed is transported by the blood to other parts of the body and accumulates mainly in the liver, kidney, and brain. Lead may be eliminated from the body by several routes. The most important routes are excretion in the bile and urine, but one investigation has shown the importance of exhalation. The important information to evaluate the significance of organolead exposure, from the standpoint of health, is knowledge about levels in the brain. This chapter discusses tetramethyl- and tetraethyllead and their metabolites due to scanty data concerning other organolead compounds.
