What is Methyl tert-Butyl Ether?
CAS#: 001634-04-4
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a flammable liquid with
a distinctive, disagreeable odor. It is made from blending chemicals
such as isobutylene and methanol, and has been used since the
1980s as an additive for unleaded gasolines to achieve more
efficient burning.
MTBE is also used to dissolve gallstones. Patients treated
in this way have MTBE delivered directly to their gall bladders
through special tubes that are surgically inserted.
Related Resources for MTBE
- Minimal Risk Levels (MRL)
The MRL is an estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse, non-cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. The information in this MRL serves as a screening tool to help public health professionals decide where to look more closely to evaluate possible risk of adverse health effects from human exposure.
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Public Health Statement
Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One
of its respective ATSDR Toxicological Profile.
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ToxFAQ
Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions
about a contaminant and its health effects.
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Toxicological Profile
Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health
effects information for a hazardous substance.
This page was updated on
09/22/2008