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Titled: Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether Used to Reduce Emissions, May Cause Adverse Health Affects
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether Used to Reduce Emissions, May Cause Adverse Health Affects
Article Summary: Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a substance that was often mixed with gasoline to reduce emissions. However, it was discovered that MTBEs can cause adverse health effects to individuals and is especially available for inhalation as well as absorption into the body and into water and food supplies thus causing serious consequences.
Due to the decreased use of lead in gasoline during the 1970s, researchers began using a substance known as methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) as a replacement used to oxygenate as well as reduce carbon emissions of gasoline.
Areas in America that had high levels of CO2 in 1990, were subject to the use of oxygenated gas as according to the Clean Air Act Amendments. Unfortunately, these areas are characterized as urban and a large population of individuals were allegedly in contact with dangerous levels of 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. Potential exposure is at times identified by the strong smell and may or may not be indicative of harmful levels. Most individuals who have come into contact with MTBE can detect the chemical in the bloodstream, urine as well as the breath for nearly two days after initial exposure.
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.
Because most individuals are not exposed to MTBE unless it is with gasoline, scientists have had a difficult time establishing concrete evidence of the MTBE side effects.
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.
Article Source: http://www.upublish.info
About the Author:
Peter Kent
LegalView hosts an array of legal topics at http://www.LegalView.com , including more about MTBE at http://mtbe.legalview.com/ . Learn about TBI at the revamped traumatic brain injury information portal or learn about the most recent on the Digitek digoxin recall.
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