Survey of the occurrence of residues of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in Dutch drinking water sources and drinking water

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pepijn Morgenstern ◽  
Ans F. M. Versteegh ◽  
Gert A. L. de Korte ◽  
Ronald Hoogerbrugge ◽  
Dennis Mooibroek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Drinking Water Sources

Containment of groundwater pollution (methyl tertiary butyl ether and benzene) to protect a drinking-water production site in Belgium

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1917-1925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Jan Haest ◽  
Richard Lookman ◽  
Ilse Van Keer ◽  
Johan Patyn ◽  
Jan Bronders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Groundwater Pollution ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Production Site ◽  
Drinking Water Production

Health risk assessment of groundwater contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Hartley ◽  
A. J. Englande ◽  
D. J. Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Oral Exposure ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a volatile oxygenate commonly used in fuels, is a frequent contaminant of some shallow groundwater. Based on limited reporting, concentrations of MTBE in drinking water were generally less than 10 μg/L but excursions up to 770 μg/L have been reported. Based on current MTBE toxicological data with emphasis on carcinogenic potential, and reproductive and developmental effects, a maximum drinking water level of 100 μg MTBE/L is suggested. This recommended advisory level takes into consideration the equivocal evidence of the carcinogenicity of MTBE in humans and low potency in an oral exposure animal study. Definitive conclusions regarding health risks to the general population from MTBE contamination of drinking water are not possible due to a paucity of monitoring data. There is increased evidence of contamination of storm water and shallow groundwater from primarily, nonpoint sources. Considering MTBE mobility and stability in water, movement to deep groundwater and drinking water supplies seems probable. In light of projected increased MTBE use, there is a need for a more rigorous monitoring program to define the frequency of MTBE contamination of drinking water supplies and to develop risk management policies.

Toxicity of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) following exposure of Wistar Rats for 13 weeks or one year via drinking water

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 687-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edilberto Bermudez ◽  
Gabrielle Willson ◽  
Horace Parkinson ◽  
Darol Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
One Year

Two-year drinking water carcinogenicity study of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) in Wistar rats

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 593-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darol Dodd ◽  
Gabrielle Willson ◽  
Horace Parkinson ◽  
Edilberto Bermudez
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Carcinogenicity Study

A re-evaluation of the taste and odour of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in drinking water

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.H. Suffet
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Threshold Concentration ◽  
Original Study ◽  
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether ◽  
Butyl Ether ◽  
Tertiary Butyl ◽  
Odour Threshold ◽  
Original Laboratory

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is a gasoline additive that has been found in groundwater when an underground gasoline storage tank leaks. Although dependent on the clean-up standards that are applied, clean-up costs have been estimated in the US alone to be in the billions of dollars. MTBE is considered primarily a taste and odour concern and not a toxicity issue at concentrations found in drinking water. Thus, the clean-up of MTBE problems is controlled by the MTBE odour threshold concentration (OTC). The level of clean-up and associated differential of millions of dollars is a matter of concern for water purveyors and well owners. A 1993 study of nine OTC studies showed the OTC of MTBE in water to be between 0.04 and 0.06 μg/L, a level over two orders of magnitude less than eight other studies. This 1993 study was repeated at the original laboratory in 2004 and is reported in this paper. The laboratory's quality control programme and ability to repeat one of the eight other studies indicated the laboratory was qualified to repeat its original OTC study. The flavour and odour detection threshold range in the 1993 study, however, could not be confirmed by trained assessors repeating the original study in 2004. The inconsistencies in the data and the high detection on water blanks indicate that the dilution series of the test solutions for the 1993 study were mainly at subthreshold levels. Therefore, the original study of 1993 is not a valid OTC study for MTBE and should not be used to develop drinking water and clean-up standards. The OTC of MTBE is over 15 μg/L for the eight valid studies.

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