Study downplays health concerns

Journal Article · Wed Mar 13 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Chemical Week

OSTI ID:530425

Stringer, J

A government-funded study has concluded that reformulated gasoline containing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) does not increase short-term health risks when compared with gasoline that does not contain the additive. The study, performed by the Health Effects Institute (Cambridge, MA), compared data from dozens of animal, human, and epidemiological studies of health effects linked to oxygenates, including MTBE and ethanol, but did not find enough evidence to warrant an immediate reduction in oxygenate use. However, the study did recommend that additional research be conducted on possible health consequences associated with the gasoline additives, including neurotoxic effects, if oxygenates continue to be used long term. Oxygenates have been used in gasoline since 1992, when EPA mandated that several municipalities use MTBE or other oxygenates in reformulated gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and meet Clean Air Act requirements. Shortly after the program began, residents in areas where the oxygenates were used complained of nausea, headaches, and dizziness. The institute says the study--funded by EPA and the Centers for Disease Control--will be used for a broader review of gasoline oxygenates by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

• OSTI ID: 530425
• Journal Information: Chemical Week, Journal Name: Chemical Week Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 158; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BUTYL ETHER
CARBON MONOXIDE
CLEAN AIR ACTS
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ETHANOL
FUEL ADDITIVES
GASOLINE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HEALTH HAZARDS
METHYL ETHER
MOBILE POLLUTANT SOURCES
PUBLIC HEALTH
RECOMMENDATIONS
REFORMER PROCESSES
US EPA