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physical geography

physical geography What is MTBE and Why we should be Concerned !! MTBE stands for Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether. In 1990 congress passed the Clean Air Act to reduce smog in cities that were listed as ozone non-attainment area. Congress mandated Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) as part of the act. Congress mandated as part of it formula, a 2% by weight oxygenate to be added to RFG to reduce hydrocarbon SMOG pollutants from automobile exhaust emissions. MTBE is a chemical, which promotes more complete combustion by adding oxygen to gasoline. This increases the temperature at which gasoline burns in the engine and reduces the amount of harmful vehicle exhaust emissions, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. MTBE is manufactured by combining isobutylene (a waste product in the gasoline refining process) and methanol (produced from natural gas). It is a colorless flammable liquid at room temperature with turpentine like color. MTBE evaporates quickly from surface water, soil or open containers. MTBE is not expected to persist in the atmosphere because of its rapid reaction with hydroxyl radicals and its degradation by sunlight. However, it may also contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. Once in the air, MTBE can mix with precipitation that can eventually carry MTBE to groundwater or surface water. MTBE is highly soluble in water and very mobile in the subsurface. It enters groundwater quickly because it does not bind well with soil and persists due to a lack of anaerobic or aerobic biodegradation. Water supplies view MTBE as the most menacing ingredient of gasoline leaked from underground fuel storage tanks. That’s because it travels faster in water underground and is longer lived. And water treatment plants aren’t equipped to remove the contaminant, which imparts an unpalatable solvent like taste and odor in drinking water at minute concentrations. However, this is a low potential for bioconcentration in plants or animals according to the U.S. EPA studies. Though studies have found that MTBE and ethanol by themselves do little to clean the air, and scientists have noted that they both indirectly help the cause by diluting concentrations of cancer causing benzene and the most potent forms of hydrocarbons that lead to smog. The major metabolites of MTBE are tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is further metabolized to formic acid and carbon dioxide, with the possible formation of methanol. Formaldehyde is known to be both toxic, potent sensitized and may cause reproductive disorders. The most commonly reported physical symptoms following MTBE exposure include: Headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, drowsiness, disorientation, skin rashes and irritation, visual impairment, nosebleeds, diarrhea, insomnia, cough lethargy, malaise, muscle aches and cardiac arrhythmia. Some people notice these effects while filling up at the pump, while driving their car, or simply by breathing urban air. Currently, the EPA classifies MTBE as a possible human carcinogen. Although acute low level exposures to MTBE do not appear to be very hazardous, questions have been raised concerning the potential risk of can upon chronic exposure to MTBE. An EPA study of the carcinogenic effects of inhaled MTBE in mice and rats resulted in increased incidence of liver and kidney cancer. Many researchers have correlated the increase in childhood and adult asthma, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and colds with the used of MTBE gasoline. MTBE and its metabolites irritate the mucous membrane which, coupled with induced sensitization, may weaken out ability to resist infection. Others have concluded that the rise in ADD among children is related to the neurological effects of MTBE resulting in difficulty concentrating and lightheadedness. Summary: at current levels of 15 to 20% in RFG  MTBE is having very little if any effect in reducing SMOG  MTBE is actually contributing to the SMOG problem  MTBE is water soluble, leachable and is contaminating water supplies nationwide  MTBE is degrades into TBF which is highly and acutely toxic  MTBE is causing adverse health effects like increased rates in asthma, especially children, it cities where it is being used  MTBE as a oxygenate, is serving no useful purpose to society except to line the pockets of a few chemical manufactures at the expense of the American public Bibliography:

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