Risk characterization of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in tap water

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) can enter surface water and groundwater through wet atmospheric deposition or as a result of fuel leaks and spills. About 30% of the U.S. population lives in areas where MTBE is in regular use. Ninety-five percent of this population is unlikely to be exposed to MTBE in tap water at concentrations exceeding 2 ppb, and most will be exposed to concentrations that are much lower and may be zero. About 5% of this population may be exposed to higher levels of MTBE in tap water, resulting from fuel tank leaks and spills into surface or groundwater used for potable water supplies. This paper describes the concentration ranges found and anticipated in surface and groundwater, and estimates the distribution of doses experienced by humans using water containing MTBE to drink, prepare food, and shower/bathe. The toxic properties (including potency) of MTBE when ingested, inhaled, and in contact with the skin are summarized. Using a range of human toxic potency values derived from animal studies, margins of exposure (MOE) associated with alternative chronic exposure scenarios are estimated to range from 1700 to 140,000. Maximum concentrations of MTBE in tap water anticipated not to cause adverse health effects are determined to range from 700 to 14,000 ppb. The results of this analysis demonstrate that no health risks are likely to be associated with chronic and subchronic human exposures to MTBE in tap water. Although some individuals may be exposed to very high concentrations of MTBE in tap water immediately following a localized spill, these exposures are likely to be brief in duration due to large-scale dilution and rapid volatilization of MTBE, the institution of emergency response and remediation measures to minimize human exposures, and the low taste and odor thresholds of MTBE which ensure that its presence in tap water is readily detected at concentrations well below the threshold for human injury.     

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contamination in private wells near gasoline stations in upstate New York

BACKGROUND: Auxiliary liver transplantation has several advantages over standard orthotopic liver transplantation. However, functional competition has been reported even in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT). We evaluated herein the interaction in APOLT between the native liver and the graft in terms of portal blood flow and regeneration. The need for diversion of the portal blood flow to the graft was also assessed. METHODS: A total of 15 patients received APOLT from living donors. Portal blood flow to the native liver was preserved in 6 patients, and the portal vein to the native liver was preemptively transected at the time of transplantation in 9 patients. RESULTS: Of the patients with preservation of the portal blood flow to the native liver, two showed inadequate graft portal blood flow just after operation, and in the other three patients the graft portal blood flow decreased or the graft atrophied after deterioration of the graft function. In the patients with preemptive transection of the portal vein to the native liver, optimal graft portal blood flow was obtained, and the native liver, supplied only by arterial inflow, supported a small-for-size graft until the graft regenerated. The damage to the native liver was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Functional competition may occur in APOLT with preservation of the portal blood flow to the native liver, whereas preemptive transection of the native liver portal vein is a safe procedure and effectively prevents the portal steal phenomenon.     

Biodegradation of the gasoline oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, and tert-amyl methyl ether by propane-oxidizing bacteria

Several propane-oxidizing bacteria were tested for their ability to degrade gasoline oxygenates, including methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME). Both a laboratory strain and natural isolates were able to degrade each compound after growth on propane. When propane-grown strain ENV425 was incubated with 20 mg of uniformly labeled [14C]MTBE per liter, the strain converted > 60% of the added MTBE to 14CO2 in < 30 h. The initial oxidation of MTBE and ETBE resulted in the production of nearly stoichiometric amounts of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), while the initial oxidation of TAME resulted in the production of tert-amyl alcohol. The methoxy methyl group of MTBE was oxidized to formaldehyde and ultimately to CO2. TBA was further oxidized to 2-methyl-2-hydroxy-1-propanol and then 2-hydroxy isobutyric acid; however, neither of these degradation products was an effective growth substrate for the propane oxidizers. Analysis of cell extracts of ENV425 and experiments with enzyme inhibitors implicated a soluble P-450 enzyme in the oxidation of both MTBE and TBA. MTBE was oxidized to TBA by camphor-grown Pseudomonas putida CAM, which produces the well-characterized P-450cam, but not by Rhodococcus rhodochrous 116, which produces two P-450 enzymes. Rates of MTBE degradation by propane-oxidizing strains ranged from 3.9 to 9.2 nmol/min/mg of cell protein at 28 degrees C, whereas TBA was oxidized at a rate of only 1.8 to 2.4 nmol/min/mg of cell protein at the same temperature.     

Exposure to methyl tertiary-butyl ether from oxygenated gasoline in Stamford, Connecticut

In 1993, state health officials in Connecticut invited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist in an investigation of exposure to methyl tertiary-butyl ether in oxygenated gasoline in Stamford, Connecticut. Venous blood samples were collected from 14 commuters and from 30 other persons who worked in the vicinity of traffic or automobiles, and the samples were analyzed for methyl tertiary-butyl ether, tertiary-butyl alcohol, benzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, and toluene. The highest levels of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in blood were measured among gasoline service station attendants (median = 15 micrograms/l, range = 7.6-28.9 micrograms/l). Blood levels of methyl tertiary-butyl ether were highly variable among persons who worked in car-repair shops (median = 1.73 micrograms/l, range = 0.17-36.7 micrograms/l) and were generally lowest among commuters (median = 0.11 micrograms/l, range = < 0.05-2.60 micrograms/l). Blood levels of methyl tertiary-butyl ether were correlated strongly with personal-breathing-zone samples of methyl tertiary-butyl ether and blood levels of other volatile organic compounds. This exposure information should prove useful to a future risk analysis of this high-volume chemical.     

Customer exposure to MTBE, TAME, C6 alkyl methyl ethers, and benzene during gasoline refueling

The clinical diagnosis of appendicitis needs to be improved, as up to 40% of explorations for suspected appendicitis are unnecessary. The use of body temperature and laboratory examinations as diagnostic aids in the management of these patients is controversial. The diagnostic power of these variables compared to that of the disease history and clinical findings is not well studied. In this study we prospectively assessed and compared the diagnostic value of 21 elements of the history, clinical findings, body temperature, and laboratory examinations in 496 patients with suspected appendicitis. The diagnostic value of each variable was compared from the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the likelihood ratios (LR). Logistic regression was used to analyze the diagnostic value of a combination of variables and to analyze independent relations. No single variable had sufficiently high discriminating or predicting power to be used as a true diagnostic test. The inflammatory variables (temperature, leukocyte and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein) had discriminating and predicting powers similar to those of the clinical findings (direct and rebound abdominal tenderness and guarding). Anorexia, nausea, and right-sided rectal tenderness had no diagnostic value. The leukocyte and differential WBC counts, C-reactive protein, rebound tenderness, guarding, and gender were independent predictors of appendicitis with a combined ROC area of 0. 93 for appendicitis. This showed that inflammatory variables contain important diagnostic information, especially with advanced appendicitis. They should therefore always be included in the diagnostic workup in patients with suspected appendicitis.     

可溶性聚醚醚酮改性环氧树脂的研究

采用热熔法制备了一系列可溶性聚醚醚酮(s-PEEK)改性环氧树脂(EP),并与普通聚醚醚酮(PEEK)改性环氧体系进行比较,探讨了聚醚醚酮类型、用量对改性树脂固化体系的凝胶时间、冲击强度、弯曲性能和断裂形貌的影响,并对含s-PEEK树脂体系的玻璃化转变温度(Tg)和热稳定性进行了分析.结果表明,s-PEEK和PEEK可在提高环氧体系冲击性能的同时,提高材料的弯曲性能、玻璃化温度和热稳定性;当m(s-PEEK):m(E-51)和m(PEEK):m(E-51)均为5:100时,冲击强度达到42.6和46.6 kJ/m2,分别比未改性的环氧体系提高69.1%和85.6%;m(s-PEEK):m(E-51)=25:100时,Tg=179.1℃,比未改性环氧树脂提高20℃左右;且含s-PEEK的体系是均相体系,含s-PEEK的固化物是颗粒增强体系.     

气相色谱-质谱法测定汽油中醇类、醚类和酯类添加剂

目前市场上一些加油站中存在着在汽油中非法添加一些醇类、醚类、酯类氧化物添加剂的现象,对车辆的机动性、安全性和环保性存在潜在危害。实验建立了气相色谱-质谱法测定汽油中19种醇类、醚类和酯类添加剂含量的分析方法。通过试验优化了色谱分析的主要条件,确定了最佳分流比为1∶100,溶剂为正十一烷,稀释倍数10～100倍,同时研究了溶剂的切换时间。利用选择离子法(SIM)确定定量离子和参考离子,可以有效消除汽油中复杂成分对目标组分的影响。以各目标组分的峰面积对其相应的质量浓度作图,发现甲醇、乙醇质量浓度在5.0～100.0 mg/L、其他化合物质量浓度在1.0～20.0 mg/L范围内线性良好,校准曲线的线性相关系数在0.998 6~0.999 9之间。各组分的检出限为0.5~1.0 mg/L。对添加了标准溶液的实际样品进行精密度和正确度考察,19种组分测定结果的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=8)为2.1%～6.2%,回收率为85%～108%。对市售92#、95#、98#常见标号汽油样品进行测定,结果发现部分汽油中含有甲醇、甲基叔丁基醚(MTBE)、乙酸仲丁酯等氧化物添加剂,质量浓度在20~1 200 mg/L之间。     

Gas chromatography of dimethylalkylsilyl ether derivatives of bile acid methyl esters

The gas chromatographic separation of the DMAS ether derivatives of ten bile acid methyl esters, namely DMES, DMnPS and DMiPS ethers, have been studied by use of an open tubular glass capillary column, coated with SE-30. The DMAS ether derivatives were eluted in sequence according to the number of hydroxyl groups except of 12-KCDCA, and separated. This contrasts with the poorly resolved gas chromatographic peaks produced by the TMS ether derivatives. The DMES ether derivatives were resolved and baseline separation in 30 min, but those of HCA and 12-KCDCA had similar methylene unit values.     

Lack of effects of some individual polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners on human lymphocyte functions in vitro

The structural similarities between polybrominated diphenyl ethers and immunotoxic halogenated aromatic compounds suggest that the polybrominated diphenyl ethers might affect the immune system. The present study was undertaken to investigate the immunological effects of some purified PBDE-congeners on human lymphocyte function in vitro. Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners were also included in the study. Mitogen-induced DNA synthesis and immunoglobulin synthesis by lymphocytes from blood donors were examined following polybrominated diphenyl ether or polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in vitro in order to determine the immunotoxic potential of these substances. No effects on mitogen-induced proliferation or immunoglobulin synthesis were observed after exposure of cells to concentrations up to 10(-5) M. The negative findings in this study indicate that certain functions of human peripheral lymphocytes, i.e. proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis, are insensitive to the direct action of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls. Our results are in accordance with other recent studies in which no effects on immunological parameters were demonstrated by exposure of lymphocytes to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons in vitro.     

A test of the effects of pregnenolone methyl ether on subjective feelings of B-29 crews after a twelve-hour mission.

Members of 7 B-29 crews received PME (experimental = 51) or a placebo (controls = 49) and took a group of psychological tests measuring manifest irritability, anxiety, and fatigue reactions, after a long (15-18 hours) over-water training mission. The tests were administered both before the drug administration (immediately upon landing) and after unloading the planes (which followed drug administration). Although there were significant pre-test and post-test differences for each group, there were no significant inter-group differences. "This study does not support the use of PME for the alleviation of depression, irritability and anxiety feelings of crew members." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lead poisoning of spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and of a common eider (Somateria mollissima) in Alaska

Lead poisoning was diagnosed in four spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and one common eider (Somateria mollissima) found dead or moribund at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska (USA) in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Ingested lead shot was found in the lower esophagus of one spectacled eider and in the gizzard of the common eider. Lead concentrations in the livers of the spectacled eiders were 26 to 38 ppm wet weight, and 52 ppm wet weight in the liver of the common eider. A blood sample collected from one of the spectacled eiders before it was euthanized had a lead concentration of 8.5 ppm wet weight. This is the first known report of lead poisoning in the spectacled eider, recently listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     

Health conditions of workers chronically exposed to ethyl gasoline and other petroleum products

Results of 5-year periodic examinations and SDH, LAP and GGTP activity in blood serum of 207 workers chronically exposed to ethyl gasoline and other petroleum products were analysed. In addition, in the selected groups, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins, complement C3 fraction and alpha2 macroglobulins were determined. Results of objective and enzymatic examinations indicate a slight toxic liver lesion. No significant changes in albuminous fractions were found, except a significant reduction in alpha2 macroglobulins.     

In vitro studies of poly(methyl methacrylate) adjuvants

Poly(methyl methacrylate) adjuvants, prepared by polymerizing monomeric methyl methacrylate in the presence of influenza virions or by addition of the virions to previously polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate) particles, were studied by means of the hemagglutination test, antibody binding, and electron microscopy. The results indicated that the virions were coated partly when the polymerization was carried out in the presence of the virus, whereas the virions were probably adsorbed when added to polymerized particles.     

Interfacial properties of self-reinforced composite poly(methyl methacrylate)

The authors describe ten years of experience in breast reconstruction in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the District Hospital of Santarém--Portugal. Ninety-nine patients were treated with 106 reconstructions, most of these were immediate and some were delayed. The authors were interested in providing an adequate volume, but also into obtaining an acceptable aesthetic result. This contributes considerably to the psychological recovery of the patients.     

Locomotor adaptations reflected in the wrist joints of early tertiary primates (adapiformes)

The positional behaviors inferred for early Tertiary adapiform primates have been the subject of considerable debate. Adapiform wrist morphology is analyzed here within the context of extant morphoclines in carpal joint shape in order to reconstruct adapiform positional behavior. Extant vertical clingers, slow climbers, and arboreal quadrupeds differ significantly from one another in length of the m flexor carpi ulnaris lever arm, shape of the midcarpal joint articular surface, and size and divergence of the pollical carpometacarpal articulation. These morphological differences are functionally related to differential requirements for wrist flexion, midcarpal mobility and stability, and pollical grasping, respectively. Adapis, Notharctus, and Smilodectes share with living arboreal quadrupeds a tall pisiform body, a mediolaterally flat midcarpal joint surface, and a relatively unexpanded thumb joint. Functionally, these features are related to flexing the wrist from extended positions during palmigrade, quadrupedal locomotion, increasing midcarpal joint stability during quadrupedal, weight-bearing postures, and grasping arboreal supports of predominantly horizontal and oblique orientation. The Messel adapiform (genus indet.) shares certain features of the midcarpal and pollical carpometacarpal articulations with extant vertical clingers, suggesting that this taxon used vertical substrates more frequently than other adapiforms.