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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

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 11, pages 79–85 (2001)Cite this article

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 self-reported 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.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Doctors Lioy and Fiedler are supported in part by the NIEHS Center Grant #ES05022.

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  1. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, New Jersey

    RICHARD E OPIEKUN, NATALIE C G FREEMAN, KATHIE KELLY-MCNEIL, NANCY L FIEDLER & PAUL J LIOY

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  1. RICHARD E OPIEKUN
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  2. NATALIE C G FREEMAN
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  3. KATHIE KELLY-MCNEIL
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  4. NANCY L FIEDLER
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  5. PAUL J LIOY
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Correspondence to RICHARD E OPIEKUN.

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OPIEKUN, R., FREEMAN, N., KELLY-MCNEIL, K. et al. 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. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 11, 79–85 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500143

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