Classification: General Business Use

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP SUMMARY

TERT-BUTYL METHYL ETHER (MTBE)

This Summary is prepared to share additional information about MTBE. SABIC welcomes your
inquiries and comments regarding Environmental, Health and Safety aspects of MTBE, and we
encourage dialogue with our stakeholders on this topic.

MAJOR SCIENTIFIC UPDATES

ACGIH TLVs: On 7 January 2021, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH®) ratified its 2021 Annual Report maintaining the Threshold Limit
Values (TLV-TWA) of 50 ppm and carcinogen category 3 (A3: Confirmed Animal
Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans) for MTBE originally adopted in 2002.

MTBE and other oxygenates threaten domestic groundwater supplies when gasoline from
underground storage tanks seeps into groundwater. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey
and others indicate widespread contamination of the U.S. drinking water supplies by MTBE
and other oxygenates. Traditional methods of removing gasoline constituents from
groundwater do not work well for MTBE.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a volatile, flammable and colorless liquid with a
distinctive mild odor. Its principal characteristics are miscibility with gasoline, low blending
vapor pressure and distillation properties. MTBE is slightly soluble in water without phase
separation problems. Compared to other oxygenated fuels, it has lower blending density,
lower blending vapor pressure and no corrosion problems.

MTBE is manufactured via the chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene. Methanol is
derived from natural gas, and isobutylene is derived from butane obtained from crude oil or
natural gas, thus MTBE is a fossil fuel.

APPLICATIONS
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is used mainly as a gasoline blending component to boost
its octane number. It replaces lead compounds and provides good anti-knock characteristics.
MTBE is also used in coating products, washing & cleaning products, air care products, anti -
freeze products, laboratory chemicals, water treatment products, lubricants and greases, and
welding & soldering products etc.

ABOUT MTBE
Molecular formula : C5H12O
CAS No. : 1634-04-4
EC No. : 216-653-1

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Name : Methyl- tert-butyl-ether (MTBE, Common name)

2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane (IUPAC Name)
2-Methyl-2-methoxypropane
Ether, tert-butyl methyl
Methyl 1, 1-dimethylethyl ether
Propane, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-
Tert-Butyl methyl ether

UN* GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM (GHS) - CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING

MTBE is GHS classified as follows and exposure to MTBE is expected to be via inhalation,
dermal exposure and ingestion
Flammable liq. Cat. 2, H225 (i.e. highly flammable liquid and vapor)
Acute Toxicity (oral) – Cat. 5, H303 (i.e. May be harmful if swallowed.)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation. Cat 2, H315 (i.e. Cause skin irritation)
Asp. Hazard Cat 2, H305 (i.e. May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways)

*For regional GHS classification, please refer to country specific SDS

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
UN Num ber : UN2398 NFPA 704 :
Packaging Group : II

HEALTH HAZARD
Acute Toxicity- MTBE is of a low order of acute toxicity, but may pose an aspiration hazard if
liquid MTBE gets into the lungs. Mild narcotic effects are possible at high concentrations.

Skin and Eye Irritation- Contact with MTBE can cause irritation to skin and eye

Repeated Dose Toxicity- Repeated oral and inhalation exposure to MTBE does not induce
serious adverse effects, but effects on liver and kidneys can be observed at high exposure
levels. MTBE is ‘not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans’ by the European Union,
the US National Toxicology Program, and the State of California. This classification is based
on an analysis from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which
determined that the possible risk of cancer to humans from exposure to MTBE are based on
insufficient information.

The weight of evidence from scientific data also concludes that there is no evidence that
MTBE is an endocrine disruptor.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD
MTBE is not expected to be harmful to aquatic organisms. It is not readily biodegr adable
and the potential for bioaccumulation is low. MTBE is inherently biodegradable under
certain conditions in the aerobic environment and the half-life in air is 3-6 days.

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PHYSICAL HAZARD
MTBE is stable under normal conditions of storage and use, and hazardous reactions will
not occur. It is highly flammable.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND SAFE USE

Store MTBE in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area. Avoid all possible sources of ignition. Wear
protective gloves and/or clothing, and eye and/or face protection as mentioned in SDS. Do not
allow vapor to accumulate in low or confined areas. MTBE is highly reactive or incompatible
with oxidizing materials and strong acids. Under normal conditions of storage and use,
hazardous decomposition products should not be produced. If spilled on skin, wash the body
part with plenty of soap and water.

Please read the Safety Data Sheet and Label carefully prior to use. In case of emergency, call
the Emergency telephone No: +1-760-476-3961 (24 h) (SABIC access code-333619). For the
United States, call CHEMTREC, U.S.: (800) 424-9300.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Characteristic Unit Typical Values
Specific Gravity At 20°C/20°C 0.74
IBP °C at 1.0 atm 50.5 min
FBP °C at 1.0 atm 74.5 max

Characteristic Unit Typical Values Test Method

Purity wt % 98 min ASTM D-5441
C4-hydrocarbons wt % 0.5 max ASTM D-5441
C5-hydrocarbons wt % 1 max ASTM D-5441
Methanol wt % 0.7 max ASTM D-5441
Tert-butyl alcohol wt % 0.6 max ASTM D-5441
Di-isobutene wt % 0.6 max ASTM D-5441
Water Ppm 500 max ASTM D-1364

ADDITIONAL INFO
More information may be found for MTBE at the following websites:

Sustainable Fuels [formerly: European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA)] Website:

This is the chemical industry website for MTBE that disseminates scientific research
on the benefits and impacts of fuel ethers on performance, health and the
environment, and advocates for science-based policymaking through active
cooperation with regulators, legislators, industry, NGOs and the academic community.
https://www.sustaina blefuels.eu/mediaroom/european-fuel-oxygenates-association-efoa-
becomes-sustainable-fuels/

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IRIS: US EPA Integrated Risk Information System provides detailed human health risk
assessment information and comprehensive review of toxicological and
carcinogenicity data following oral and inhalation exposure.
https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris/iris_documents/documents/subst/0545_summary.pdf

ECHA : Link to the MTBE dossier that includes classification and labelling, PBT
assessment, manufacturing, use, exposure, toxicological information (environmental
fate, ecotoxicology, and human health toxicology), and guidance on safe use
https://echa.europa.eu/registration -dossier/-/registered-dossier/15543/1

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH):. 2021 TLVs and

BEIs. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents. Biological
Exposure Indices. Cincinnati, OH. 2021.
https://www.acgih.or g/

IOELVs: Indicative occupational exposure limit values (IOELVs) from Commission Directive
2009/161/EU. Member States are required to bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive, which establishes
values for reference period of eight-hour time weighted average and for a short-term
period of 15 minutes.
https://www.echa.europa.eu/web/gue st/indicative-oelvs-dir-2009-161/-
/legislationlist/details/EU-IOELV_LIST_3-ANX-100.015.140-VSK-65 FB5 A

USEPA Chemistry Dashboard: US EPA Dashboard is a one-stop-shop for chemistry,

toxicity and exposure information for over 875,000 chemicals.
https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/dsstoxdb/results?search=DTXSID30 20833

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