Effect of vehicle use and maintenance patterns of a self-described group of sensitive individuals and nonsensitive individuals to methyl tertiary-butyl ether in gasoline

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the driving habits and vehicle maintenance patterns of individuals who report symptoms when exposed to methyl tertiary -butyl ether ( MTBE ) and those who are asymptomatic when exposed to the oxygenate. Participants were healthy volunteers ( CON ) and selfreported MTBE -sensitive individuals ( SRS ) who participated in a controlled exposure study of MTBE in gasoline. A questionnaire was developed to gather information about each participant's automobile usage, engine maintenance habits and fueling and driving patterns. Results showed that the individuals who had self -reported heightened sensitivity to the oxygenate drove their vehicles more often and fueled their vehicles more frequently than asymptomatic individuals. In addition, the self -reported symptomatic individuals in this study were shown to be more likely to drive vehicles with some form of body damage and carbureted engines.

Advances in Risk Assessment and Communication

“…As one example, the finding by Opiekun et al (97) that individuals who self-report symptoms from the gasoline fuel additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) have driving habits and automobiles likely to produce higher MTBE exposure levels is consistent with a cause-and-effect relationship and adds to the weight of the evidence. Similarly, accurate exposure evaluation is a necessary part of intervention studies aimed at decreasing adverse outcomes from hazardous chemicals.…”