An Analysis of the Health Benefits Associated with the Use of MTBE Reformulated Gasoline and Oxygenated Fuels in Reducing Atmospheric Concentrations of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds

To assess the health benefits gained from the use of cleaner burning gasoline, an analysis was conducted of changes in the atmospheric concentration of eight VOCs: acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, POM, toluene, and xylenes resulting from the use of reformulated gasoline and oxyfuel containing the additive MTBE. Modeled ambient air concentrations of VOCs were used to assess three seasonally-based scenarios: baseline gasoline compared to (a) summer MTBE:RFG, (b) winter MTBE:RFG, and (c) MTBE oxyfuel. The model predicts that the addition of MTBE to RFG or oxyfuel will decrease acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene and POM, but increase formaldehyde tailpipe emissions. The increased formaldehyde emissions, however, will be offset by the reduction of formaldehyde formation in the atmosphere from other VOCs. Using a range of plausible risk estimates, the analysis predicts a positive health benefit, i.e., a decline in cancer incidence associated with use of MTBE:RFG and MTBE oxyfuel. Using EPA cancer risk estimates, reduction in 1,3-butadiene exposure accounts for the greatest health benefit while reduction of benzene exposure accounts for the greatest health benefits based on alternative risk estimates. An analysis of microenvironment monitoring data indicates that most exposures to VOCs are significantly below levels of concern based on established margin-of-safety standards. The analysis does suggest, however, that health effects associated with short-term exposures to acetaldehyde and benzene may warrant further investigation.