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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

MTBE - AN OVERVIEW OF A NEW PROBLEM

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is a synthetic chemical used in unleaded gasoline as an additive to enhance the octane number and to increase oxygen content in the gasoline. The latter has the advantage of improving the combustion and, therefore, to convert carbon monoxide emissions (product of incomplete auto engines combustion) to carbon dioxide. Reformulated gasoline may provide economic and air quality benefits, as it complies with legislation on air quality standards and helps to reduce the production of ozone. Nevertheless, there are important concerns regarding potential harmful effects of MTBE on humans and environment. Several events have raised concern over the safety of MTBE, especially after being considered a potential carcinogen to humans and also due to its physical and chemical characteristics which makes it persistence in the environment. In 1996, the city of Santa Monica, in the USA, closed some of its major drinking water wells after discovering MTBE contamination. Furthermore, the US Geological Survey reported that in investigations carried out between 1994-1995, MTBE to be the second most common contaminant in shallow urban aquifers. In 1985, MTBE was first introduced in Denmark as an additive to unleaded gasoline in an attempt to phase out the lead additives. Less than 2 decades after, in April 2000 MTBE was included in the Danish EPA list of unwanted chemicals. In January 2000 the EU agreed that the vapour pressure of gasoline should be reduced, but since ethanol will increase the vapour pressure, it can no longer be considered as a possible European replacement for MTBE. Furthermore, the EU policies aim to reduce the aromatic compounds content (particularly benzene) by 2005, this might lead to a need for increasing the MTBE content. In Denmark 95% of the drinking water is originated by groundwater. Since 1998, the Danish authorities have carried out a survey to evaluate the extent of MTBE contamination of groundwater. Furthermore, Denmark has implemented an action-plan to phase-out MTBE provisionally limited to 1 January 2005. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E121676.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Thomas Telford Limited

    London,   United Kingdom 
  • Authors:
    • JESUS-RYDIN, C
    • HANSEN, O C
  • Publication Date: 2001

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00979534
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • ISBN: 0-7277-3033-9
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Oct 6 2004 12:00AM