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Chemical Sampling Information: |
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| tert-Butyl Methyl Ether |
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Safety and Health Topics: tert-Butyl Methyl Ether
General Description
Synonyms: Methyl-t-Butyl Ether; Methyl-tert-Butyl Ether; Methoxy-2-Methyl Propane; MTBE
OSHA IMIS Code Number: B146
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 1634-04-4
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: KN5250000
Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
molecular formula: C5H12O
molecular weight: 88.17
boiling point: 55.2°C
vapor pressure: kPa at 20°C: 27
melting point: -109°C
Exposure Limits
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm TWA; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans
Health Factors
Potential symptoms: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, weakness, unconsciousness; redness of skin and eyes; INGES ACUTE: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; chemical pneumonitis (by aspiration).
Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, skin---mild (HE16); Nervous system disturbances (HE7); Explosive, flammable (HE18)
Affected organs: CNS, skin, eyes
Notes: 1) MTBE is used as a major gasoline additive (up to 15%) and experimentally for dissolving cholesterol gall stones. 2) Metabolism of MTBE by hepatic CYP2A6 (which also metabolizes coumarin and nicotine) is strongly inhibited by the drugs, methoxsalen and tranylcypromine. 3) Systemic exposure can occur via absorption through the skin. Most symptoms claimed for airborne MTBE exposure have not been rigorously documented, as occupational exposure is rarely to the pure compound alone. Its potent odor is recognized at 90-130 ppb.
Date Last Revised: 11/05/2003
Literature Basis:
- (symptoms; organs affected)
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Methyl tert-butyl ether
- (absorption; metabolism)
Draper, A.J., Madan, A. and Parkinson, A.: Inhibition of coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity in human liver microsomes. Arch. Biolchem. Biophys. 341(1): 47-61, 1997.
- Prah, J.D., Blount, B., Cardinali, F.L., Ashley, D.L., Leavens, T. and Case, M.W.: The development and testing of a dermal exposure system for pharmacokinetic studies of administered and ambient water contaminants. J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Methods 47(3): 189-195, 2002.
- (clinical use)
Hellstern, A., et al.: Dissolution of gallbladder stones with methyl tert-butyl ether and stone recurrence: a European survey. Dig. Dis. Sci. 43(5): 911-920, 1998.
- (general reviews)
Borak, J., Pastides, H., Van Ert, M., Russi, M. and Herzstein J.: Exposure to MTBE and acute human health effects: a critical literature review. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 4(1): 177-200, 1998.
- [No authors listed]: Methyl tert-butyl ether. IARC Monogr. Eval. Carcinog. Risks Hum. 73: 339-383, 1999.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Two Charcoal Tubes in Series (Front is 400 mg/ Back is 200 mg; 20/40 mesh)
analytical solvent: Carbon Disulfide
maximum volume: 96 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
method reference: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NIOSH 1615)
method classification: Partially Validated
note: Store samples at reduced temperature until shipment.
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