Browse > Article

Effects of Gasoline Additive, Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) to Human Health and Ecosystem  

An Youn-Joo (Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University)
Lee Woo-Mi (Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University)
Publication Information
Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology / v.21, no.2, 2006 , pp. 93-102 More about this Journal
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an octane booster that is added to the reformulated gasoline, has been a widespread contaminant in aquatic ecosystem. MTBE is a recalcitrant pollutant having low biodegradability. Due to its higher water solubility and low octanol-water partition coefficient, it can be rapidly transported to the surrounding water environment. Also, MTBE is a known animal carcinogen, and is classified as a possible human carcinogen by U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The adverse effect of MTBE to aquatic biota was widely reported. In Korea, the recent detection of MTBE in groundwater near gasoline filling stations has drawn concern to public health and ecosystem. To address this concern, the effect of MTBE to human health and ecosystem was discussed in this review. Also, ecotoxicity data of MTBE for fish, invertebrates, and algae were extensively compared to estimate the hazard concentration 5($HC_5$) of MTBE as a screening level.
Keywords
methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); gasoline additive; human health; ecosystem; ecotoxicity; $HC_5$;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 ECB. Tert-Butyl Methyl Ether. European Union Risk Assessment Report. 2002
2 Hernando MD, M. E, A.R. F-A and Y. C. Combined toxicity effects of MTBE and pesticides measured with Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna bioassays. Water Res 2003; 37: 4091-4098   DOI   ScienceOn
3 Kolb A and Puttmann W. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in finished drinking water in Germany. Environmental Pollution 2006; 40: 294-303
4 Longo SE. Effects of Methyl-tert-butyl Ether and Naphtalene on the Embryo of the Japanes Medaka (Oryzias latipes). MS thesis, Graduate school-New Brunswick Rutgers, NJ. USA, The state University of New Jersey and The Graduate school of Biomedical Sciences Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 1995
5 Rousch JM and Sommerfeld MR. Liquid-gas partitioning of the gasoline oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) under laboratory conditions and its effect on growth of selected algae. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1998; 34: 6-11   DOI
6 WHO. Methyl tertriary-butyl ehter (MTBE) in drinkingwater. 2005
7 Vojdani A, Mordechai E and Brautbar N. Abnormal apoptosis and cell cycle progression in humans exposed to methyl-tertiary-butyl ether and benzene contaminating water. Human and Experimental Toxicology 1997; 16: 485-494   DOI
8 Andrews C. MTBE-A long-term threat to ground water quality. Groundwater 1998; 36: 705-706   DOI   ScienceOn
9 BenKinney MT, J.F. B, J.S. G and P.A. N (1994). Acute toxicity of methyl-tertiary-butyl ether to aquatic organisms.Abstract 15th Annual SETAC Meeting 30 October-3 November 1994 Denver. Co. USA
10 Pedersen F, P, Kristense AD and Christensen HW. Ecotoxicological evaluation of industrial wastewater. Danish Environmental Protection Agency Ministry of Environment Copenhagen 1994; Miljoprojekt nr. 254
11 Hockett JR. Short-term Sub-chronic toxicity of MTBE to the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) under static-renewal test conditions (Study Number 0480-378-005-001). ENSR. Fort Collins, Co. USA. (1997c)
12 Werner I and Hinton DE. Toxicity of MTBE to freshwater organisms. In: University of California and UC Toxcity Substances Research and Teaching Program. Health and Environmental Assessment of MTBE. Report to the Governor and Legislature of the State of California. Vol. III. Sacramento. CA. USA. 1998; 174-193
13 Wong DCL, Arnold WR, Rausina GA, Mancini ER and Steen AE. Development of a freshwater aquatic toxicity database for ambient water qualtiy criteria for methyl tertrial-butyl ether. Environ Toxicol Chem 2001; 20: 1125-1132   DOI
14 An Y-J, Kampbell DH and Sewell GW. Water quality at five marinas in Lake Texoma as related to methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE). Environ Pollut 2002; 118: 331-336   DOI   ScienceOn
15 Newman A. MTBE detected in survey of urban groundwater. Environ Sci Technol 1995; 29: 305
16 Bengtsson BE and Tarkpea M. The acute aquatic toxicity of some substances carried by ship. Marine Pollut. Bulletin 1983; 14(6): 213-214   DOI   ScienceOn
17 Huels AG. Bestimmung der Auswirkungen von MTB-Ether auf das Schwimmverhalten von Daphnia magna (nach EG 84/449, Nov, 1989). Marl. 1991a
18 Huels AG. Bestimmung der Auswirkungen von MTB-Ether (Driveron) auf das Wachstum von Scenedesmus subspicatus 86.81.SAG. 1991b
19 Geoger DL, Call DJ and Brooke LT. Acute toxicities of Organic chemicals to Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas), Vol. IV. Center for lake Superior Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, Superior, WI, USA. 1981
20 Day MJ. Fate and Transport of fuel components below slightly leaking underground tanks. Soil Sediment & Groundwater 2000; MTBE special issue: 21-24
21 Johnson R, Pankow J, Bender D, Price C and Zogorski J. MTBE-To what extent will past releases contaminate community water supply wells? Environ Sci Technol 2000; 34: 210A-217A   DOI   ScienceOn
22 Hockett JR. Acute Toxicity of MTBE to the Daphnia magna Under Static-renewal Test Conditions (Study Number 0480-378-003-001). ENSR. Fort Collins, Co. USA. (1997b)
23 Keller A, Froines J, Koshland C, Reuter J, Suffet I and Last J. Health & Environmental Assessment of MTBE. Report to the governor and legislature of the State of California: University of California. 1998
24 Veith GD, Call DJ and Brook LT. Estimating the acute toxicity of Narcotic Industrial Chemicals to Fathead Minnows. Aquatic Toxicology and Hazard Assessment: Sixth symposium (ASTM-STP-802). American Society for Testing and Materials. Philadelphia, USA. 1983; 90-97
25 Mackay D, Shiu W-Y and Ma K-C. Physical-chemical properties and environmental fate handbook. Chapman & Hall, CRC netBase. 1999
26 ANZECC. National Water Quality Management Strategy Water Quality and Monitoring Guidelines. 2002
27 An Y-J, Kampbell DH and Cook ML. Co-occurrence of methyl tert-butyl ether and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene compounds at marinas in large reservoir. J Environ Engr -ASCE 2002; 128: 902-906   DOI   ScienceOn
28 Burleigh-Flayer HD, Chun JS and Kintigh WJ. (1992). Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether: Vapor Inhalation Oncogenicity study in CD-1 Mice: Bushy Run Research Center
29 Hockett JR. Acute Toxicity of MTBE to the Daphnia magna Under Static-renewal Test Conditions (Study Number 0480-378-003-001). ENSR. Fort Collins, Co. USA. (1997a)
30 API. Toxicity of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) to Selenastrum capricornutum under static test conditions: ENSR Environment Toxicology Laboratory for American Petroleum Institute. 1999
31 Aldenberg T and Slob W. Confidence limits for hazardous concentrations based on logistically distributed NOEC toxicity data. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 1993; 25: 48-63   DOI   ScienceOn