A new method for the analysis of tetramethyllead in blood.

In this paper a method for the determination of alkyllead compounds in blood is described. The method is based on extraction of the aklyllead compounds into an organic solvent, followed by separation by high-resolution gas chromatography. A graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer is used as the detector. A detection limit of 0.01 micrograms/ml for tetramethyllead was obtained in blood samples. The method was used for the investigation of occupational exposure to tetramethyllead in gasoline. Blood samples from tank cleaners and gasoline pump servicemen showed detectable amounts of tetramethyllead. The reference group did not show any detectable levels of tetramethyllead.