The adverse effects of automobile exhaust emissions on human health and the environment are a growing cause for concern. In recent years, governments around the world have initiated a number of legislative programs designed to bring about improvements in air quality. Some of these programs, for instance in Europe and the United States, have led to changes in the formulation of fuels.
An important element in the formulation of gasoline is the addition of oxygenates, replacing other fuel components, which were required to be substituted by different laws. The most commonly used oxygenate is methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a chemical compound derived primarily from natural gas. The widespread use of gasoline containing MTBE has resulted in significant air quality improvements.
However, an issue has arisen concerning the presence of MTBE in groundwater supplies, as a component of gasoline that has entered the environment through incorrect storage or handling. The groundwater controversy has generated a vast quantity of reports, scientific studies and media coverage, especially in the USA. Some of this information is based on sound science, while some is ill informed and misleading.
With the aim of helping both specialists and non-specialists alike to find their way through the mass of information on the subject, EFOA, the European Fuel Oxygenates Association, has produced the MTBE Resource Guide, today in its third edition, which brings together the latest factual and practical information on MTBE, including its use and handling, and the prevention and remediation of leaks and spills.
The MTBE Resource Guide is arranged in three sections:
Section 1, the MTBE Database, describes the properties, applications and benefits of MTBE, as well as the health and environmental issues associated with its use.
Section 2, the Good Practice Guide, explains how to prevent contamination by gasoline containing MTBE, and describes emergency response and remediation techniques in the event of an accidental release.
Section 3, the Website Directory, lists and describes selected websites containing useful information on MTBE, gasoline and related subjects.
EFOA, the European Fuel Oxygenates Association, represents the major European producers of oxygenated fuels. Its current members are: Ecofuel, Innovene/BP, Neste Oil, Lyondell, Methanex, Oxeno, Polski Koncern Naftowy, SABIC Europe, Shell Chemicals and Total. Together, EFOA members companies represent 80% of the EU MTBE production capacity.
The core mission of EFOA is to act as a reliable, long-term source of information regarding the issues surrounding fuel oxygenates in gasoline. An important element of our work is the publication of the MTBE Resource Guide.
This Guide is intended to be a living document that is subject to regular updating. This third edition has been extensively revised compared to the original December 2000 edition and to the 2nd, October 2002 edition, to include the latest developments in technical and scientific understanding. We welcome comments and contributions from users of the guide. Please send them to:
EFOA
Avenue E.Van Nieuwenhuyse 4
Boîte 2
1160 Brussels
Belgium
Or by e-mail at : MTBEGuide@efoa.org
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