Oxygenates Seen Working As Intended In U.S.

The Oxygenated Fuels Association said a federal review of oxygenated gasoline has concluded that the fuel is working in the 25 regions of the U.S. where it is required. OFA said the multi-agency review, released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, also showed the main oxygenate used, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), is safe when used for its intended purposes, as an anti-pollution additive in gasoline.

Aug. 11, 1997

2 min read

The Oxygenated Fuels Association said a federal review of oxygenated gasoline has concluded that the fuel is working in the 25 regions of the U.S. where it is required.

OFA said the multi-agency review, released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, also showed the main oxygenate used, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), is safe when used for its intended purposes, as an anti-pollution additive in gasoline.

Mary Nichols, assistant Environmental Protection Agency administrator for air and radiation, said, "Based upon the findings of this final inter- agency assessment and all available information about the benefits of the program, EPA believes that continuation of the oxygenated gasoline program is in the best interest of the public health."

Fred Craft, OFA executive director, said, "This latest scientific review reflects analyses of more than two dozen federal and state agencies that have some jurisdiction over or interest in air pollution, energy use, economics, and the environment."

Conclusions

The study found winter-time oxygenated fuels reduce ambient carbon monoxide levels by about 10% and also cut total hydrocarbon exhaust emissions.

It was critical of certain EPA computer modeling programs that it said may exaggerate ambient concentration benefits, although the estimates were based on actual reductions in exhausts from test vehicles.

The report concluded that "theoretical projections" based on the energy content of fuel containing oxygenates had indicated reductions in fuel economy of 2-3% and that "on-road measurements agree with these estimates."

It said health studies, including controlled exposure studies, have shown MTBE in gasoline does not increase the risk of acute health effects such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

It said, "The anecdotal reports of acute health symptoms among some individuals cannot yet be explained or dismissed."

The paper said extremely high doses of MTBE can cause cancer in laboratory animals, but the risks for MTBE are substantially less than that for the known carcinogens benzene and 1,3-butadiene, which MTBE replaces in gasoline.

And the report said monitoring in five states has found MTBE is not a problem for drinking water supplies.

It said detection of MTBE in ground water has been extremely limited: "Underground storage tank improvement programs under way by the states and EPA should result in a reduction in the release of gasoline and fuel oxygenates to groundwater from these potential point sources."