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

摘要

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 mug/L but excursions up to 770 mug/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 mug 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.