What are the uses of MTBE?
MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) is a fuel additive. Since 1979, MTBE has been used in some regions of the United States as an octane-enhancing replacement for lead and to increase the oxygen content of gasoline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the Oxygenated Fuel (Oxyfuel) and Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) Programs in 1992 and 1995, respectively, to meet the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The Oxyfuel program is to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and can be met by the use of oxygen-containing compounds such as ethanol and MTBE. The RFG Program is to reduce ozone and smog. MTBE is essential in this program. Michigan does not require the use of RFG. What is the composition of fuels sold in Michigan? The Michigan Department of Agriculture fuel sample data for 1998, showed that eight percent of the samples contained ethanol and five percent contained MTBE. Fuels containing MTBE are found throughout the state. Has MTBE been detected in the envir
