Should MTBE be banned everywhere?

MTBE

MTBE stands for methyl tertiary butyl ether. It is a chemical compound made from methanol and isobutylene almost entirely for use as a fuel additive to raise the oxygen content of petrol/gasoline (compounds which do this, like ethanol and lead, are called oxygenates). Lead was banned some years ago because of its damaging affect on health. Oxygenates not only prevent the engine from "knocking" (or "pinking" - to make a noise as a result of faulty combustion), but also help petrol/gasoline to burn more completely, thus reducing harmful emissions from the tailpipe. This reduces both smog (volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides) and toxicity (e.g. benzene).

Refiners prefer MTBE as it is cheaper and blends better. It can also be shipped through existing pipelines and its volatility is lower.

In the USA, the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments specify requirements for the use of oxygenated gasoline, but do not specify the oxygenate to be used. California has more stringent requirements because of its pollution problems.

Unfortunately, studies show that MTBE has found its way into a lot of groundwater, including drinking water. It tastes and smells bad (like turpentine). States have set limits on MTBE concentrations in drinking water. Inhaling MTBE has been shown to cause cancer and other illnesses in animals. It is not known what affect drinking it may have on humans, but it is believed that it might be carcinogenic in high doses. Most contamination is in low concentrations, but there was major contamination found in Santa Monica, CA in 1996. MTBE passes easily through the soil into the water, it dissolves easily in water and does not break down, so it tends to stay in the water and is difficult and expensive to remove. It tends to evaporate from surface water. For more information visit the EPA site.

In the U.S.A., the House has recently approved an Energy Bill which includes $2 billion for MTBE makers, who include major oil companies and refiners, to help them defray the cost of phasing MTBE out. They would also be protected against product liability lawsuits arising from the water contamination. There are already more than 80 such suits. The same liability waiver stopped a nearly completed energy bill in its tracks 2 years ago. The current Senate Ethanol Energy Bill has recently been advanced from committee without addressing the MTBE issue.

Recent news stories involving MTBE include:

• Senate Advances Ethanol Energy Bill May 26 2005
• Senate panel issues bill updating U.S energy policy May 13 2005
• House Approves Far-Reaching Energy Bill April 22 2005
• House Poised to Approve Broad Energy Bill April 21 2005
• House, Bush Focus on Energy Bill April 20 2005
• Bush Aide Plays Down Short-Term Fix on Energy April 19 2005
• Bush to Meet House, Senate Energy Bill Leaders April 19 2005
• Congress Asked to Boost Ethanol Production April 19 2005
• Bush Prods Congress on Energy Legislation April 16 2005
• House Committees OK Energy Legislation April 14 2005
• House Set to Pass Cheaper Energy Bill April 14 2005

AP: EPA Orders Continued Ethanol Use

California, New York and Connecticut had asked the EPA to waive a Clean Air Act (1990) requirement that gasoline contain an oxygenate, saying they could meet federal air standards for reformulated gasoline without it. Oxygenates include MTBE, which pollutes groundwater and is banned in the three states, and ethanol.

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Should MTBE be banned everywhere?

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