MTBE or methyl tertiary butyl ether- An Inroduction
MTBE or methyl tertiary butyl ether was introduced in 1990s to help refines to meet clean air standards. It is a gasoline additive. One drawback of MTBE is that it is highly soluble in water. This means that the leakage from the underground gasoline tanks contaminates water for decades. It makes the drinking water smell and taste like turpentine. When experimented on animals it showed that it might lead to cancer.
Risk of MTBE
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), people involved with the following profession have higher risk of Methyl Tertiary – Butyl Ether exposure.
- Delivery Drivers
- Bus Drivers
- Taxi Drivers Mechanics
- Gas Station Attendants
- Others with high exposure to oxyfuels
- Gasoline processing plant employees
However, it is not only the people who are exposed to high levels of MTBE occupationally are at the risk. Low level of exposure while commuting or refueling the vehicle is hazardous too. Another risk comes from the consumption of contaminated water. Few guidelines have been issued by Environmental Protection Agency to protect the children from MTBE exposure. Presence of MTBE in drinking water should not exceed 4 milligram per liter of water (4mg / l) and 3mg / l for long-term exposure.
According to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), per million parts of air (40 ppm) an exposure limit of 40 parts of MTBE is recommended for 40-hour workweek. If somebody gas doubt on the supply of drinking water it is beneficial to contact local authority.
All the complaints related to MTBE falls within the toxic tort law. The arguments of plaintiff should be more persuasive than of the defendants to whom the damages are to be awarded. Some or the other MTBE cases are in the court and plaintiffs have received compensation for ailments caused due to MTBE.
In most of the cases, companies have not warned the consumers about the dangers of the product have knowingly selling defective products. Many approaches can be taken to toxic tort litigation. The responsible party can be held accountable for many reasons including the negligence of public health and safety.