API PUBL 4623-1995

$20.15

Anecdotal Health-Related Complain Data Pertaining to Possible Exposures to Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE): 1993 and 1994 Follow-up Surveys (1984-1994)

Published By	Publication Date	Number of Pages
API	1995	58

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Description

The oxygenate methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is frequently added to gasoline during the winter driving season to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from motor vehicles and is frequently used in reformulated gasoline. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began receiving anecdotal heath-related complaints allegedly associated with exposures to MTBE. In early 1993, EPA began planning a series of clinical research studies to investigate the validity of these claims. As part of its response, the American Petroleum Institute (API) promptly conducted an informal survey of API member companies to acquire their anecdotal complaint data relating to MTBE. A second survey was conducted in 1994. State petroleum council staff were also asked to poll state agencies for complaints received by state government. This report describes the development and administration of these surveys and provides a summary of their data.

The original and follow-up member company survey questionnaires were sent to industrial hygienists at 18 API member companies. Health-related MTBE complaint data allegedly associated with 71 occupational and 13 non-occupational MTBE exposures was compiled. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory tract irritation are relatively common in the reported data. These symptoms are consistent with those complaints previously received by EPA. Additional symptoms, such as vomiting, fainting and diarrhea, were rarely reported. The relationship between these symptoms and MTBE exposure is unclear.

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