What is the problem with MTBE in gasoline?

in gasoline? If you have ever pump gas that claimed to be oxygenated, something that's common in most urban areas in the winter, then you have probably used gasoline containing mt B E. Mt B E is the acronym for methyl tertiary butle ether, a fairly simple molecule that is

created from methanol. Mt B E gets added to gasoline for two re First, it boosts octane, and second, it's an oxygen eate, meaning that it adds oxygen to the reaction when it burns ideally, and oxygen eate reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in a car's exhaust. MTB started getting added to gasoline in a big way after the clean air act of into effect. Gasoline can contain as much as ten to fifteen per cent MTB. The main problem with MTB is that it's thought to

be carcinogenic and it mixes easily with water. If gasoline containing MTB leaks from an underground tank at a gas station, it can get into groundwater and contaminate wells. Of course, MTB isn't the only thing getting into the groundwater when a tank leaks, so is gasoline and a host of other gasoline additives. But in recent years MTB has been singled out because of the amount of it, the water solubility,

and the cancer risk. Many states have now banned mtv E. The thing replacing it in gasoline is ethanol normal alcohol. It's somewhat more expensive than mt B, but it's not a cancer threat. For more on this and thousands of other topics, Is It How staff works dot com. Audible dot com is the leading provider of digital audio books and spoken word, with over one tho titles to choose from. Audible lets you listen to your favorite books anywhere, anytime.

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