The paradoxes of MTBE

A widely used gasoline additive, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), has be en controversial, in part because of concerns about potential inhalation he alth effects and more recently because of added concerns about water contam ination. Although many of the issues related to MTBE have not been fully re solved, several apparent paradoxes can be discerned, including the fact tha t something intended to improve air quality is now seen as a threat to wate r quality. Among the lessons that can be derived from the MTBE experience i s the value of a comprehensive understanding of the potential risk-benefit tradeoffs of different fuels and fuel additives.