Exxon Mobile has been ordered to pay over $100 million in damages to the city of New York due to water pollution resulting from leakage of the fuel additive MTBE.

First, a little background information.  Many moons ago, auto fuel had a high concentration of aromatic hydrocarbons (AHC), which give a good octane number.  While that was great for engines, the exhaust from this fuel was nasty – loaded with carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other things that greatly contributed to smog and health problems.  Recognizing this, the US government mandated that fuel have a lower AHC content, but this created another problem – how would octane rating be maintained?

This matters because octane rating is a measure of the flashpoint of a fuel, the point at which it spontaneously combusts. If an engine burns fuel with too low an octane rating the fuel will spontaneously combust – the “knocking” sound that can eventually ruin an engine.  So Exxon decide to add MTBE (it’s name is a little complicated) to up the octane rating without producing as much smog.

This was in fact an improvement in terms of exhaust fumes, but led to another host of problems.  A study by the US Geological Survey in 1995 found high levels of MTBE in groundwater in Santa Monica, and subsequent testing found it to be found at many sites over the country.  While not officially classed as a carcinogen (yet), it does have an unpleasant taste at very low concentrations.  It is worth mentioning that there is enough evidence against its use that it has be banned in fully half of the states.

The question is, how can people think that replacing one chemical for another will have a positive impact?  Certainly toxicity varies per chemical, there are other effects to consider as well – persistence, solubility, etc…that cannot be determined in the amount of time it takes for them to be brought to market.

There is only one way to get a cleaner environment – LESS chemicals.  No matter what the aim, adding more/new chemicals to the mix will have consequences that will only be determined over time, as this case illustrates.

As for air quality, this begs the question: What do you think “air fresheners” do to your health?

Source article: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSbQlUTdlAYw

On MTBE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_tert-butyl_ether

How MTBE works (p. 312): Google Books

Most people seem to be aware these days that black mould is a serious problem.  So serious in fact, that if you have it in your home you can’t remove it yourself – professionals have to do it for you for fear of stirring up the dreaded spores. You see, if these spores get into your lungs (which they will) they can lead to cancer.  If you’re not too familiar with black mould read about one family’s misadventure over in Barrhead, Scotland.

Yes the dangers are real. But apparently these dangers extend beyond mere physical health.  In case you’ve been hiding in a hole I invite you to find out about Amanda Bonner and Horizon Realty.

You have to read that story; the rest of this won’t make sense without it.

What the hell were those guys thinking? There are so many things wrong with the way they handled that it’s a bit ridiculous.  I mean, the story pretty much covers it.  A non issue gets turned into a firestorm.  If you’re reading this get the word out, as this kind of heavy handed tactic is going the way of the dinosaurs.

Oh, and if you live in Chicago please don’t ever deal with those a$$holes Horizon Realty.

Lets see how this unfolds over the coming days.

It took a little longer then expected, but the blog is now active! You can look forward to informative articles about air quaity, health, and of course the odd post about random happenings.  For now comments will be allowed, but if this blog bcomes popular and is abused that feature may be turned off.  Please feel free to ask questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

Ciao for now.