Health Advisory Issued for Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

摘要

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) has been used as an octane enhancer in gasoline since the late 1970s. It promotes more complete burning of gasoline, thereby reducing carbon dioxide and ozone emissions. MTBE is used as a gasoline additive in localities that participate in the winter oxygenated fuels program, the reformulated gasoline program to achieve or maintain compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or both. About 40 percent of the US population lives in areas where MTBE is used.