LEADED GASOLINE ABUSE - THE ROLE OF TETRAETHYL LEAD

Volatile substance abuse is practised worldwide however reports of the abuse of leaded gasoline have been limited to northern Canada, southw estern USA and the Australian Cutback. Chronic, heavy abuse of leaded gasoline results in an encephalopathy, cerebellar and corticospinal sy mptoms and signs, dementia, mental status alterations, and persistent organic psychosis. Much of this is due to the hydrocarbons of gasoline while the tetraethyl lead contributes to the altered mental status an d is responsible for the persistent psychosis. Lead chelation therapy is not rational and has not been shown to benefit these patients.