The unicellular alga Poterioochromonas malhamensis was exposed to 12.5 microM of inorganic or triethyl lead and simultaneously treated with lead antidotes and related agents at concentrations of 12.5, 31.25 and 62.5 microM. With increasing concentrations some of the antidotes alone slightly to severely inhibited algal growth (BAL, CaNa2EDTA, EDTA, Na2EDTA), whereas others (DPA, EGTA, DIZO) were non-toxic at the concentrations tested. EGTA and CaNa2EDTA, at all concentrations tested, completely suppressed the growth inhibition caused by inorganic lead; Na2EDTA and EDTA were protective at the lower or medium concentrations, but DIZO, DPA and BAL considerably enhanced lead toxicity with increasing concentrations. None of the tested agents was able to reduce the toxic effects of triethyl lead. All antidotes markedly increased inhibition of algal growth caused by triethyl lead and some were even lethal to the poisoned algae either at the highest (Na2EDTA, EDTA, DPA) or at all concentrations used (DIZO, BAL). P. malhamensis proved to be a highly sensitive and valuable tests system and the results obtained exhibited striking parallels to medical and clinical experience in therapy of human poisoning with inorganic and organic lead compounds.