MTBE Risk Analysis: Main Page

MTBE as a Fuel Oxygenate: A Risk Analysis

Welcome to the my final project for CEE 367, Environmental Risk Assessment and Management.

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This project was an undergraduate project at Princeton University. This work has NO connection to Georgia Tech or the Systems Realization Laboratory. I am not an environmental engineer. I stand by the site as a high level risk analysis of MTBE use. It should not be used as the sole source for any policy or legal decisions. Please consult authoritative sources, including the government (state and national). Thank you
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This project examines the addition of Methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) to gasoline.  The major component of the project is a risk analysis of MTBE using the techniques learned in class.  MTBE is used to oxygenate fuel, supposedly making it burn cleaner.  The desired effect is cleaner air.  However, MTBE finds its way into public water sources and groundwater by means of leaking underground gasoline tanks, spilled gasoline, and fumes.  Additionally, it and its byproducts are present in ambient air.  The state of California recently banned the inclusion of MTBE in gasoline due to its toxicity [1].  In 1996, Santa Monica, California closed major drinking water wells after discovering MTBE contamination [2].  The USGS recently reported MTBE to be the second most common contaminant in aquifers [2].  Additionally, recent findings of a committee by the National Research Council indicate that fuel additives have little effect at reducing ozone [3].  Finally, there have been widespread, anecdotal reports of acute, adverse health effects triggered by MTBE exposure.

It is clear that a comprehensive risk analysis of MTBE is needed.  This website, my final project for Princeton University course Civil and Environmental Engineering 367: Environmental Risk Assessment and Management, is an analysis which draws from several reputable sources, including commercial, governmental, academic, and general media reports.  The project is specifically organized for presentation on the web.  Because not all pages will be viewed by all visitors, a small portion of the information is repeated.  Additionally, a list of acronyms is available on the Introduction page.