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To: Ga Bard who wrote (1520)	5/17/1998 9:43:00 AM
From: jeffrey rainey	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1757

c 1998 Oxybusters of Texas Toxic Effects of MTBE Health Effects of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether on the Human Body as reported by the EPA. A. PHARMACOKINETICS EFFECTS 1.Absorption - Animal studies have shown that MTBE is rapidly absorbed following oral or inhalation exposures. Bioavailability following dermal exposure is reported to be 39% or less than that for oral exposures (U.S. EPA 1993a) 2.Distribution - Animal studies indicate that MTBE is rapidly distributed in the blood to all parts of the body including the brain. Peak blood levels occur within 15 min of i.p. injection, and highest tissue levels were reported to occur in the liver and kidneys (U.S. EPA 1993a). 3.Metabolism - The major metabolites of MTBE are tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and formaldehyde (U.S. EPA 1993a). The formaldehyde is likely further metabolized to formic acid and carbon dioxide, with the possible formation of methanol as well. 4.Excretion - Animal studies have shown that MTBE is rapidly excreted following oral or inhalation exposures (U.S. EPA 1993a). Following oral exposures, MTBE is eliminated mainly in expired air (46-69%) with smaller amounts excreted in the urine (11-36%). Following inhalation exposures, most MTBE and metabolites are excreted in the urine (53-72%) with smaller amounts in expired air (17-22%) (U.S. EPA 1993a). B. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Although MTBE is added to gasoline to improve air quality by enhancing combustion and reducing emissions of carbon monoxide and benzene, emissions of other pollutants, such as formaldehyde may increase (U.S. EPA 1993c). The ozone forming potential of MTBE is estimated to be lower than that for most other non-methane components of urban air including alkenes, aldehydes, nontoluene aromatics, and ethene (U.S. EPA 1993a). According to the definition provided in the Federal Register (1992), MTBE is a volatile organic carbon (VOC) substance. As a VOC, MTBE reacts with NOx emissions and in the presence of sunlight contributes to the formation of ozone or what some call photochemical smog. . EPA/OTHER FEDERAL/OTHER GROUP ACTIVITY The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 list MTBE as a hazardous air pollutant. IF MTBE IS NOT HELPING AS IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE THE CASE, WHY ARE WE STILL USING MTBE??????? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Health Effects of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether on the Human Body by Medical Reports. Acute: Irritating to the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Chronic: Causes damage to kidneys. Toxicological effects and properties are not complete. Medical Studies are still being conducted to determine the toxicity of MTBE, but it has been concluded that the metabolites and degredation components of MTBE i.e. TBF, TBA and Formaldehyde, are the real culprits. A list of symptoms is available. Atmospheric Degradation of MTBE When exposed to sunlight, MTBE in the presence of NOx, (Oxides of Nitrogen found outdoors as a component of SMOG), reacts with the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms of a radical compound refered to as Hydroxyl and forms Tert-Butyl Formate, 76%; Formaldehyde, 37%; Methyl Acetate, 17%; and Acetone, 2%. Effects of Tert-Butyl Formate on the Human BodyAcute: Extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Inhalation may be fatal as a result of spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonia and pulmonary edema. Chronic: Long term toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated. Effects of Formaldehyde on the Human Body Acute: Irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. May cause allergic respiratory or skin reactions. Causes coughing, chest pains, breathing problems, pulmonary edema, gastrointestinal disorders. Chronic: Carcinogenic related illnesses, and genetic alterations. Attacks the eyes and kidneys. Metabolization of MTBE in the Human Body When MTBE gets introduced into the Human Body either by inhalation or by absorption through the skin, it metabolizes into two primary compounds; Tert-Butyl Alcohol, and Formaldehyde both classified by the EPA as being "probable human carcinogens". Formaldehyde is a known mutagenic but recent medical studies prove Formaldehyde to be not only carcinogenic, but more of an immune system suppressant allowing cancerous cells to take root and spread with little resistance and has been linked to cases of chemically induced AIDS (Immune Deficiency). Effects of Tert-Butyl Alcohol on the Human Body Acute: Harmful or fatal if swallowed, irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, causes nausea, dizziness, headaches. Chronic: May cause reproductive disorders. Attacks the central nervous system. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Medical Reports on MTBE Changes in Disease Rates in Philadelphia Following the Introduction of Oxygenated Gasoline Dr. Peter Joseph, Univ of Penn, Dept Radiology. Reformulated Gasoline: A Source of Illness? by a Medical Professional in Medical terms for Doctors. Health Effects from MTBE in Gasoline as described by a Medical Professional in Laymens terms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Top of Page just a few reminders as to why we got in so long ago, and fight the naysayers in such a vigorous manner.

To: Ga Bard who wrote (1520)	5/17/1998 9:58:00 AM
From: jeffrey rainey	Respond to of 1757

c 1998 Oxybusters of Texas Exposure to MTBE, Who is being exposed and How Who is Exposed? Today, 31 percent of all U.S. gasoline contains MTBE. MTBE makes up about 85 percent of the oxygenates used nationally; ethanol and ethanol-based ethers make up the rest. Tons of the chemical are entering the air daily from auto exhaust, and it is also showing up in water as it leaks from tens of thousands of underground storage tanks. (27 percent of the urban wells and springs that the U.S. Geological Survery sampled around the country where found to have MTBE present.) Average Citizens Automotive Exhaust or Fuel Fumes Anyone living in an area designated by the EPA as an "Ozone Non-Attainment Area" (See RFG Map. to see if your area is a designated area.) and is therefore required to use and are using RFG with MTBE as the designated "Oxygenate" in their fuel source are being exposed to MTBE, TBF or Formaldehyde fumes from: Refueling your vehicle at the pump -- In states with vapor-recovery systems average dose: 245 parts per billion In states without vapor - recovery systems average dose: 1,500 parts per billion. Driving during congested or heavy traffic periods Water Well or Drinking Water (70 ppb - U.S. EPA proposed health advisory level) 39-134 ppb You can taste it. 15-95 ppb You can smell it. A U.S. Geological Study reported drinking water wells in 51 public systems in five states have been contaminated with MTBE, along with a large number of private wells in four other states. The frequency of underground leaks of storage tanks made from fiberglass are expected to dramatically increase in the next 3 to 5 years as storage tanks made from fiberglass installed between 1980 and 1990 are approaching the end of their useful life due to the reactive effects of MTBE on the fiberglass resin. An advisory from Owens-Corning (manufacturer of fiberglass underground storage tanks) dated March 9th 1995, states, "Owens-Corning does not recommend or warrant single or double wall underground storage tanks purchased before April 1990 for the storage of gasoline with alcohol contents higher than 10% ethanol or 5% methanol with appropriate co-solvents." This means that alcohol is reactive with fiberglass resin and fiberglass storage tanks made before April 1990 are subject to leaking if subjected to MTBE or ETBE RFG's. Prolonged Exposures Gas Station Attendants Mechanics Auto Salvage strippers Refinery Workers Pipeline Workers Tanker Drivers How MTBE is released into the environment in several ways. A. Environmental Release Environmental releases of MTBE may occur at industrial sites involved in the manufacture of MTBE or in the blending of MTBE with gasoline; during the storage, distribution and transfer of MTBE-blended gasoline; and from spills or leaks or fugitive emissions at automotive service stations. Total annual industrial emissions of MTBE in the U.S. in 1992, as reported on the Toxics Release Inventory, were 3 million pounds: 2.8 million pounds to air, 100 thousand pounds to surface water, 68 thousand pounds to underground injection sites, and 288 lb to land. Vapor emissions of MTBE from gasoline blended with MTBE may also contribute substantially to atmospheric levels. The annual mean concentration of MTBE in the atmosphere in the United States during 1987-1988 was estimated to be 0.2 ppb (U.S. EPA 1993b) with only a few states using MTBE as an oxygenate at levels of 15%. Since 1992 several other states have been required to use MTBE at levels of 15% or more. MTBE has been detected in potable well water samples in several locations; maximum reported concentrations ranged from 20 micrograms/L to more than 200 mg/L. B. Transport MTBE is highly volatile, and would be expected to volatilize rapidly from soil surfaces or water. However, MTBE is soluble in water and is expected to be highly mobile in soils, and leaching of the chemical into groundwater is likely (U.S. EPA 1993a). C. Transformation/Persistence 1.Air - MTBE is not expected to persist in the atmosphere because of its rapid reaction with hydroxyl radicals (forming TBF and Formaldehyde). 2.Soil - MTBE is expected to volatilize rapidly from soil surfaces. MTBE released in subsoils as a result of leaks from underground storage tanks may be persistent. There is little evidence that MTBE is susceptible to either aerobic or anaerobic biodegradation. 3.Water - MTBE is expected to volatilize from surface waters. Volatilization half-lives of MTBE from streams, rivers and lakes were estimated to be 2.5 h, 9.5 h and 3,296 h (137 days), respectively. MTBE is not expected to hydrolyze, photolyze, or be adsorbed to sediments or suspended particulate matter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Top of Page