Gasoline additive causes a stir

摘要

Traces of a controversial gasoline additive have turned up in the European gasoline pool, causing consternation within the trading community. Several firms are calling for it to be outlawed entirely in the EU to avoid contaminating shipments to markets that already ban it. Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an octane enhancer in gasoline. Several countries that import European gasoline, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Chile, have banned it outright. Car manufacturers also discourage MMT's use, saying it adversely affects spark plug and emissions systems. But MMT is used in Canada and Australia and is still legal in the US.