Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether Used to Reduce Emissions, May Cause Adverse Health Affects

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is one of various additives used to oxygenate gasoline. These substances are blended with gasoline to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (MTBE also reduces other toxic chemical compounds in vehicle emissions). MTBE has been in use since 1979, primarily in response to the diminishing use of lead in gasoline.

In 1990, with the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments (specifically Section 211), the use of oxygenated gas was required in areas with excessive levels of CO air pollution. These areas were primarily urban, meaning that huge numbers of individuals have been exposed to MTBE. The positive aspect of the blend of gasoline and MTBE (which is highly flammable) is that it allows a much cleaner burn and less environmentally harmful emissions. Of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) mandated by this act, over 85% contain MTBE.

Even researchers at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have admitted that while MTBE appears as if it will not do harm to others, it may lead to serious health risks among victims exposed to the chemical.

Not only can individuals suffer health risks by inhaling MTBE, but the contamination of potable water stores, and thus ingestion, are other very real concerns. Water contamination can happen through the leakage from gasoline storage or transport units, most of which are located underground.

MTBE has a very high level of solubility and there have been many incidences of water contamination all over the country, especially in places of high population density (such as California and New England). While MTBE is absorbed quickly into water, it is not similarly easy to separate from water as it is not readily biodegradable. On the other hand, in air, it quickly evaporates and produces a vapor which has a very distinct, unpleasant odor. Side effects of MTBE vapor inhalation may include the following.

Individuals who feel they may be at risk for exposure to MTBE inhalation or water contamination should contact a state drinking water agency as soon as possible, according to the National Center for Environmental Health of the Centers for Disease Control. Usually high levels of MTBE are characterized by the strong odor associated with it, however, the level of harm from this is still unkown. Exposure to MTBE can be confirmed because it is detectable in the bloodstream, as well as breath and urine, for up to two days after contact.

While not considered as dangerous as Benzene (an element that MTBE replaces in gasoline) MTBE is a carcinogen at high enough exposure levels, as shown by laboratory experiments on animals conducted by the CDC. However, no governmental bodies have claimed to find sufficient evidence to recognize MTBE as a possible human carcinogen. Part of this reasoning is that it is eventually broken down and removed from the body, thus long term accumulation is not a risk.

Since humans do not encounter MTBE as a separate entity from gasoline, very few concrete conclusions have been drawn since a causal relationship cannot be adequately established between the chemical and health conditions.

Specifically, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has still reserved a definitive judgment on the adverse health effects of MTBE. Many other studies have been conducted though and indicate that the following are symptoms found after contact with MTBE.
Symptoms from inhalation include:

* Headaches

* Cough

* Nose or throat burning

* Other respiratory irritation

* Lightheadedness

* Eye irritation

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Dizziness, "spaciness" or disorientation

Possible health issues resulting from ingestion or dermal contact (i.e. drinking, swimming or showering) include:

* Gastrointestinal irritation

* Liver and kidney damage and possibly liver and kidney cancer

* Nervous system effects ranging from hyperactivity and
incoordination to convulsions and unconsciousness

* Risks to healthy fetal development

Obviously, at the expense of the health of the general public, requiring oxygenating additives in gasoline has been a mixed blessing. Indeed, before the federal government suggested the use of MTBE, and before gas and oil companies began adding it, more research should have been done as to its effects on the environment and human health.

By: Peter Kent

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Source: For more on MTBE, visit mtbe.legalview.com/. Additionally, use the LegalView homepage at www.LegalView.com and peruse other issues of interest such as the Digitek digoxin recall or the Chantix risks.

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