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 esponding to a letter survey con- ducted
this spring and summer by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), US oil companies
representing over 75 percent of US oil refining capacity indicate that they
are not currently using MMT in US gasoline. The survey confirms earlier
reports by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showing use of MMT
in the US gas supplies is negligible, at only 0.02% of all gasoline sold
in the US. MMT is the controversial manganese-based additive produced by
the Ethyl Corporation, which produced leaded-gas additives for decades.
 The continued rejection of MMT in
the US occurs at the same time many of these same oil companies must decide
whether to resume use of MMT in Canadian gasoline. Last year, the Canadian
government banned the use of MMT, but reversed that decision in July in
the wake of a lawsuit by Ethyl Corporation.
"EDF has found that the overwhelming
majority of the world's largest oil companies have rejected MMT in their
US products," said William J. Roberts, an EDF senior attorney. "These
same firms should recognize that the health uncertainties of MMT apply with
equal force to their products in Canada. The oil industry should take the
same responsible, prudent step in Canada that it has taken in the US, and
voluntarily avoid the use of MMT."
The EPA had previously refused to
approve MMT for sale based on potential health concerns, but in December,
1996, the agency was compelled to allow the sale by a narrow court ruling
that did not address health issues. Airborne manganese at high doses is
known to cause disabling neurological impairments in movement and speech
with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, but the public health impacts
of the long-term, lower dose manganese exposures resulting from MMT use
are still unknown. In addition, the American Automobile Manufacturer's Association
advises consumers not to use manganese gas additives due to possible damage
to automotive systems.
EDF and other environmental and public
health organizations have urged US oil companies to refrain from using MMT
in US gasoline products until adequate health testing has been completed.
According to EDF's survey, the following companies are not currently using
MMT in US gasoline: Amerada Hess, Amoco, Arco, BP America, Chevron, CITGO,
Clark, Conoco, Exxon, Marathon, Mobil, Pennzoil, Phillips, Shell (Equilon),
Sun, Texaco, Unocal (Tosco). Combined, these companies represent approximately
75 percent of US oil refining capacity.
EPA has confirmed these results by
reporting to EDF in a request under the Freedom of Information Act that
"MMT is in only about 0.02% of the [US] gasoline," according to
Charles N. Freed, Director of the Fuels and Energy Division at EPA's Office
of Air and Radiation.  |
