MTBE

Methyl tert-butyl ether, also known as methyl tertiary butyl ether and MTBE, is a chemical compound.

MTBE is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid that is immiscible, yet reasonably soluble in water. MTBE has a minty odour vaguely reminiscent of diethyl ether leading to unpleasant taste and odour in water.

MTBE is a gasoline additive, used as an oxygenate and to raise the octane number, although its use has declined in the United States in response to environmental and health concerns.

It has been found to easily pollute large quantities of groundwater when gasoline with MTBE is spilled or leaked at gas stations.

The main environmental risk of MTBE is that it gives water an unpleasant taste at even very low concentrations, and thus can easily render large quantities of groundwater non-potable. MTBE is often introduced into water-supply aquifers by leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) at gasoline stations.

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