(Garden creatures) MTBE - Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether
No commentsBy Katie Kelley
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is one of various additives used to oxygenate gasoline. These substances are blended with gasoline to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (MTBE also reduces other toxic chemical compounds in vehicle emissions). MTBE has been in use since 1979, primarily in response to the diminishing use of lead in gasoline.
In 1990, with the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments (specifically Section 211), the use of oxygenated gas was required in areas with excessive levels of CO air pollution. These areas were primarily urban, meaning that huge numbers of individuals have been exposed to MTBE. The positive aspect of the blend of gasoline and MTBE (which is highly flammable) is that it allows a much cleaner burn and less environmentally harmful emissions. Of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) mandated by this act, over 85% contain MTBE.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), although the use of MTBE appears noble, its use has caused many health and safety concerns for people who are exposed to it.
Not only can individuals suffer health risks by inhaling MTBE, but the contamination of potable water stores, and thus ingestion, are other very real concerns. Water contamination can happen through the leakage from gasoline storage or transport units, most of which are located underground.
MTBE has a very high level of solubility and there have been many incidences of water contamination all over the country, especially in places of high population density (such as California and New England). While MTBE is absorbed quickly into water, it is not similarly easy to separate from water as it is not readily biodegradable. On the other hand, in air, it quickly evaporates and produces a vapor which has a very distinct, unpleasant odor. Breathing this vapor can result in discomfort as described below under symptoms.
The National Center for Environmental Health (a branch of the Centers for Disease Control) suggests that people who concerned about overexposure to MTBE through inhalation or water contamination contact a state drinking water agency immediately. Potential exposure is at times identified by the strong smell and may or may not be indicative of harmful levels. Exposure to MTBE can be confirmed because it is detectable in the bloodstream, as well as breath and urine, for up to two days after contact.
While not considered as dangerous as Benzene (an element that MTBE replaces in gasoline) MTBE is a carcinogen at high enough exposure levels, as shown by laboratory experiments on animals conducted by the CDC. However, no governmental bodies have claimed to find sufficient evidence to recognize MTBE as a possible human carcinogen. Part of this reasoning is that it is eventually broken down and removed from the body, thus long term accumulation is not a risk.
Since humans do not encounter MTBE as a separate entity from gasoline, very few concrete conclusions have been drawn since a causal relationship cannot be adequately established between the chemical and health conditions.
Specifically, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has still reserved a definitive judgment on the adverse health effects of MTBE. Many other studies have been conducted though and indicate that the following are symptoms found after contact with MTBE.
Symptoms from inhalation include:
* Headaches
* Cough
* Nose or throat burning
* Other respiratory irritation
* Lightheadedness
* Eye irritation
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Dizziness, “spaciness” or disorientation
Possible health issues resulting from ingestion or dermal contact (i.e. drinking, swimming or showering) include:
* Gastrointestinal irritation
* Liver and kidney damage and possibly liver and kidney cancer
* Nervous system effects ranging from hyperactivity and
incoordination to convulsions and unconsciousness
* Risks to healthy fetal development
Obviously, at the expense of the health of the general public, requiring oxygenating additives in gasoline has been a mixed blessing. Indeed, before the federal government suggested the use of MTBE, and before gas and oil companies began adding it, more research should have been done as to its effects on the environment and human health.
Learn more about the dangers of MTBE at http://mtbe.legalview.com/. Also visit the LegalView homepage at http://www.LegalView.com to find information on other potential dangers such as the Zimmer Durom cup recall or the Cipro side effects causing tendonitis among patients.
Learn About Outdoor Creatures In Wildlife
Hazardous Soil Contaminants Diffuse Easily Causing Health Risks
By Katie Kelley
Soil contamination is the diffusion of hazardous material throughout soil. The material can be either solid or liquid and usually bonds with the soil in which it is mixed. Contaminants do not have to be directly deposited in the soil to negatively affect it; for example, many airborne toxic molecules can settle in soil.
Soil contamination may also occur as a peripheral effect of ground water contamination, aggravated by flooding or improper waste water disposal. Plants, animals, and humans can absorb the adverse compounds upon contact. Soil can be polluted with either heavy metals or various other chemicals. Again, the types of exposure are dermal contact (e.g. gardening), inhalation (breathing dust particles), or ingestion (eating items grown in impure soil).
The sources of water and soil contamination are innumerable; however, the following have a high probability of potentially contaminating local environs:
* Machine shops.
* Railroad yards and other railroad-related work sites.
* Chemical manufacturing plants.
* Incinerators.
* Dry cleaning stores.
* Chemical or medical waste storage facilities.
* Nuclear power plants or testing facilities.
* Any manufacturing plant that uses any type of cleaning solvents or gasoline based products.
* Oil refineries.
* Landfills.
* Gas stations.
Accidental or intentional leaks and spills from any of the above organizations may allow toxic chemicals to seep into the soil or into ground aquifers or water tables.
Once the chemicals have contaminated the soil or water, it is incredibly difficult to remove them. Soil may have to be removed from the site and treated, or neutralizing chemicals introduced into the polluted material. In the worst case scenarios, water or soil must be sequestered such that it does no more damage as it cannot be treated. If water or soil contamination goes unnoticed and unsolved people with high exposures to the contaminants may develop chronic or terminal illnesses.
Chronic exposure may cause some of the following symptoms as well as others not listed here:
* Various forms of cancer (lung, bladder, brain, kidney, leukemia, lymphoma, skin cancer).
* Various forms of learning disability (ADD, ADHD, LD).
* Teratogenic effects (fetal health risks, miscarriages and birth defects).
* Reproductive effects or genetic damage from radiation.
* Respiratory effects (breathing difficulties, allergies and other similar conditions).
* Gastrointestinal effects (digestive conditions).
* Cardiovascular effects.
* Immune system deficiencies.
* Hepatic effects (various liver conditions).
* Renal effects (various kidney effects including blood in the urine).
* Neurological effects (various nervous system disorders, including reflex malfunction and headaches).
If an individual has reason for concern or the physical manifestations of symptoms they should contact a physician and/or the local authorities. There is no reason that anyone should have to consume unsafe water or live on dangerous land. Toxic tort law exists to protect people’s rights and make sure they receive just compensation for others’ negligent behavior.
Visit http://contamination.legalview.com to learn about soil and water contamination. Also use http://www.LegalView.com and find resources on various legal issues affecting millions of Americans each year including the Cipro recall and Levaquin warning issue, which affects all of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 7:55 pm and is filed under environmental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
