In vitro cytotoxicities of inorganic lead and Di- and trialkyl lead compounds to fish cells

Abstract

Although there has been much research on the effects of inorganic lead on the aquatic biota, less is known on the environmental impact of organolead compounds. Organolead compounds are primarily of anthropogenic origin, with the largest consumption of organolead being the use of tetraalkyl Pb as an antiknock additive in gasoline. Once deposited into aquatic environments the tetraalkyl Pb compounds may be degraded to tri- and dialkyl Pb species and then finally to Pb{sup 2+}. Di- and trialkyl Pb species are used as biocides and may enter aquatic ecosystems through runoff from terrestrial environments. This study evaluated the relative cytotoxicities of di- and trialkyl Pb compounds to fish cells in culture.