1、American Petroleum Institute API PUBL*4622 95 0732290 0556085 352 D % *E biiiirJ Rnd, Petroleum Industry Data Characterizing Occupational Exposures to Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) 1983-1993 Health and Environmental Sciences Department Publication Number 4622 August 1995 API PUBL*4622 95 073229
2、0 0556086 299 One of the most significant long-term trends affecting the future vitality of the petroleum industry is the publics Concerns about the environment. Recognizing this trend, API member companies have developed a positive, fowuard-looking strategy called STEP: Strategies for Todays Enviro
3、nmental Partnership. This program aims to address public concerns by improving our industrys environmental, health and safety performance; documenting performance improvements; and communicating them to the public. The foundation of STEP is the API Environmental Mission and Guiding Environmental Pri
4、nciples. API ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION AND GUIDING ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES The members of the American Petroleum Institute are dedicated to continuous efforts to improve the compatibility of our operations with the environment while economically developing energy resources and supplying high quality pr
5、oducts and setvices to consumers. The members recognize the importance of efficiently meeting societys needs and our responsibility to work with the public, the government, and others to develop and to use natural resources in an environmentally sound manner while protecting the health and safety of
6、 our employees and the public. To meet these responsibilities, API members pledge to manage our businesses according to these principles: 6 6 6 6 e 6 6 6 e 6 6 To recognize and to respond to community concerns about our raw materials, products and operations. To operate our plants and facilities, an
7、d to handle our raw materials and products in a manner that protects the environment, and the safety and health of our employees and the public. To make safety, health and environmental considerations a priority in our planning, and our development of new products and processes. To advise promptly,
8、appropriate officials, employees, customers and the public of information on significant industry-related safety, health and environmental hazards, and to recommend protective measures. To counsel customers, transporters and others in the safe use, transportation and disposal of our raw materials, p
9、roducts and waste materials. To economically develop and produce natural resources and to consetve those resources by using energy efficiently. To extend knowledge by conducting or supporting research on the safety, health and environmental effects of our raw materials, products,.processes and waste
10、 materials. To commit to reduce overall emission and waste generation. To work with others to resolve problems created by handling and disposal of hazardous substances from our operations. To participate with government and others in creating responsible laws, regulations and standards to safeguard
11、the community, workplace and environment. To promote these principles and practices by sharing experiences and offering assistance to others who produce, handle, use, transport or dispose of similar raw materials, petroleum products and wastes. - API PUBL*4622 95 W 0732290 0556087 125 = Petroleum In
12、dustry Data Characterizing Occupational Exposures to Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) 1983-1 993 Health and Environmental Sciences Department API PUBLICATION NUMBER 4622 PREPARED UNDER CONTRACT BY: MICHAEL MCCOY, JR. AND TED JOHNSON ITAQS, A DIVISION OF IT CORPORATION 371 O UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE
13、 201 DURHAM, NC 27707 AUGUST 1995 American Petroleum Institute FOREWORD API PUBLICATIONS NECESSARILY ADDRESS PROBLEMS OF A GENERAL NATURE. WITH RESPECT TO PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS SHOULD BE REVIEWED. API IS NOT UNDERTAKING TO MEET THE DUTIES OF EMPLOYE
14、RS, MANUFAC- TURERS, OR SUPPLIERS TO WARN AND PROPERLY TRAIN AND EQUIP THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND OTHERS EXPOSED, CONCERNING HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS, NOR UNDERTAKING THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAWS. NOTHING CONTAINED IN ANY API PUBLICATION IS TO BE CONSTRUED AS GRANTI
15、NG ANY RIGHT, BY IMPLICATION OR OTHERWISE, FOR THE MANU- FACTURE, SALE, OR USE OF ANY METHOD, APPARATUS, OR PRODUCT COV- ERED BY LETTERS PATENT. NEITHER SHOULD ANYTHING CONTAINED IN ITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OF LETTERS PATENT. THE PUBLICATION BE CONSTRUED AS INSURING ANYONE AGAINST LIABIL- Copyright 8 19
16、95 American Petroleum institutc i API PUBL*4b22 95 0732290 055b089 TTB W ACKNOWLEDGMENTS THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIME AND EXPERTISE DURING THIS STUDY AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT API STAFF CONT ACT Will Ollison, Health and Environmental Sciences Depart
17、ment MI COMPANY MEMBERS Paul Bucknam, Amerada Hess Corporation Richard Bui, Sun Company, Inc. Charles Clark, Unocal Corporation Carol Fairbrother, Exxon Company, USA Jack Hinton, Texaco Inc. Jim Jackson, Mobil Oil Corporation Ramona Panson, Sun Company, Inc. Carolyn Phillips, Shell Oil Company Gerha
18、rd Raabe, Mobil Oil Corporation James Richey, ARCO Roy Rigney, BP America Randy Roth, ARCO John Sepesi, Shell Oil Company Alfred Talbot, Sun Company, Inc. Eric Vogt, Texaco, Inc. Michael Wells, Amoco Corporation James White, ARCO iii API PUBL+4622 95 W 0732290 0556090 71T W CONTRACTORS ACKNOWLEDGMEN
19、TS This report describes a survey designed to collect methyl tertiary butyl ether (MBE) occu- pational exposure data. The survey was designed for the American Petroleum Institute (API) to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in investigating the valid- ity to health-related complain
20、ts following alleged exposures to MTBE. IT Air Quality Ser- vices (ITAQS) performed all work during this study under the direction of the Health and Environmental Sciences Department of API. Ms. Inez vanArsdal1 of ITAQS and Mr. Doug Brinson developed the exposure data survey questionnaire under the
21、direction of Dr. Will Ollison of MI and Ms. Gail Levine of Sum- mations, Inc. Data was submitted directly to ITAQS for aggregation and analysis (see ques- tionnaire). Ms. Joan Abernethy of ITAQS conducted follow-up telephone calls to elicit the highest possible study response rate. Mr. Ted Johnson,
22、Mr. Darre11 Hollowell, and Mr. Michael McCoy, Jr. of ITAQS prepared the final exposure database. Statistical analysis of the database was performed by Mr. McCoy and Mr. Johnson. Mr. McCoy was the project manager and technical director for the ITAQS effort. Mr. McCoy was also the principal author of
23、the final project report. Mr. Johnson assisted in the preparation of the final project report and assisted in technical direc- tion. iv API PUBLX4622 95 = 0732290 0556091 656 ABSTRACT The compound methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenate which is added to gasoline during the winter driving
24、 season to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from motor vehicles and is frequently used in reformulated gasoline. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began receiving anecdotal heath-related complaints following alleged exposures to MTBE. In early 1993, EPA began planning a se
25、ries of clinical research studies to investigate the validity of these claims. As part of its response, the American Petroleum Institute (API) conducted a survey of API member companies to acquire data relating to occupational exposures to MTBE. This report describes the development and administrati
26、on of this survey. It also provides a summary of the data obtained from the completed questionnaires. The survey questionnaires were distributed to industrial hygienists at 17 API member companies who provided 1,833 MTBE concentration measurements associated with potential occupational exposures. Th
27、e results were consistent with expectations. The highest exposure measurements were associated with process spills and upsets, whereas lower exposure measurements were associated with routine operations. Finally, exposures during activities associated with blending and distribution were lower than e
28、xposures during activities associated with transportation (barge, pipeline rail car) and refueling. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Pane I. INTRODUCTION 1-1 2. METHODOLOGY . 2-1 THE EXPOSURE DATA AND TELEPHONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRES . 2-1 ADMINISTRATION OF QUESTIONNAIRES 2-2 DEVELOPMENT OF EXPOSURE DATA
29、BASE 2-2 3. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS 3-1 FREQUENCYANALYSES 3-1 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS FOR MTBE CONCENTRATIONS . 3-17 PERSONAL SAMPLES WITHOUT REPORTED RESPIRATOR USE 3-1 8 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS ORGANIZED BY SECTOR AND SAMPLING DURATION . 3-19 4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 4-1 5. REFERENCES . R-I Appendi
30、x A Appendix B Appendix C PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY MTBE EXPOSURE FINDINGS EPA CONFERENCE ON MTBE AND OTHER OXYGENATES: EXPOSURE DATA QUESTIONNAIRE . A-I FOLLOW-UP TELEPHONE QUESTIONS . B-I A RESEARCH UPDATE, JULY 26-28, 1993, FALLS CHURCH, VA. C-I API PUBL*Yb22 95 H O732290 O556093 Y29 H Tables 2
31、.1 . 3.1 . 3.2 . 3.3 . 3-4 . 3.5 . 3.6 . 3.7 . 3.8 . 3.9 . 3-1 O . 3-1 1 . 3.12 . 3-1 3 . 3.14 . 3-1 5 . 3.16 . 3-1 7 . 3-1 8 . 3-1 9 . 3.20 . 3.21 . LIST OF TABLES Paae Data items in the common survey format 2-3 3-2 Frequency distribution of state (STATE) 3-3 Frequency distribution of facility type
32、 (FACTYPE) Frequency distribution of measurement location (MEASLOC) . 3-4 Frequency distribution of MTBE source (MTBESRC) . 3-7 Frequency distribution of sample type (SAMTYPE) . 3-7 Frequency distribution of subject type (SUBTYPE) . 3-8 Frequency distribution of month (MONTH) . 3-9 Frequency distrib
33、ution of year (YEAR) 3-9 Frequency distribution of measurement duration (DURATION) . 3-1 1 Frequency distribution of sample method (SAMMETH) . 3-11 Frequency distribution of analytical method (ANALMETH) . 3-12 Frequency distribution of control equipment (CONTINFO) . 3-14 Frequency distribution of ot
34、her information (OTHERINF) 3-15 Frequency distribution of sector exposure categories (OLLICAT) . . 3-16 Descriptive statistics for MTBE concentrations for personal and area samples . 3-21 Descriptive statistics for MTBE concentrations for area samples . . 3-22 Descriptive statistics for MTBE concent
35、rations for personal Descriptive statistics for MTBE concentrations for personal Descriptive statistics for MTBE concentrations for personal samples with and without respirator use . 3-23 samples without respirators 3-24 samples with respirators . 3-25 Descriptive and distributional statistics by ex
36、posure type for MTBE manufacturing . routine operations 3-26 Descriptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE manufacturing . routine maintenancehurnaround . . 3-27 Tables 3-22. 3-23. 3-24. 3-25. 3-26. 3-27. 3-28. API PUBL*4622 95 0732290 055b094 365 LIST OF TABLES (Continued) Des
37、criptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE blending - neat MTBE . 3-28 Descriptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE blending - fuel mixtures 3-29 Descriptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE transport - neat MTBE . 3-30 Descriptive
38、and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE transport - fuel mixtures 3-31 Descriptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE distribution - fuel mixtures 3-32 Descriptive and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE refueling - fuel mixtures 3-33 Descriptive
39、and distributional statistics by exposure type for MTBE research . 3-34 API PUBL*Lib22 75 0732290 0556075 2TL Section 1 INTRODUCTION The compound methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is routinely added to gasoline during the winter driving season to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from motor veh
40、icles. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began receiving complaints concerning headaches, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms allegedly following exposure to MTBE. In early 1993, EPA began planning a series of clinical research studies to investigate the validity of these cla
41、ims. The American Petroleum Institute (API) conducted three surveys: The Exposure Survey: a survey of member companies to obtain exising data on measured workplace MTBE exposures. o The State Complaint Survey: a survey of API state directors and the officers of allied oil and gas associations to obt
42、ain any health-related complaints linked to possible exposures to MTBE that they had obtained. o Company Complaint Surveys: Two separate surveys of 18 member companies to obtain any health-related complaints linked to possible exposures to MTBE that they had received. All four surveys were conducted
43、 by IT Air Quality Services (ITAQS). This introduction provides a brief description of each of the three surveys. The remainder of this report provides a more detailed description of the ExDosure Survev. The procedures and results of the other two suweys have been described together in API Publ. 462
44、3 (ITAQS, 1995). In the ComDanv ComDlaint Survev, ITAQS administered a questionnaire to industrial hygienists at 18 API member companies. Each respondent was asked to document all complaints related to possible MTBE exposure which the company received 1-1 API PUBL*4622 95 0732290 0556096 138 between
45、 January 1, 1988 and April 30, 1993 (the close of the 1992-93 oxygenate season). A subsequent follow-up survey, covering the 1993-94 oxygenate season, was also conducted. Questionnaire responses were limited to a description of each complaint; respondents were not asked to evaluate or verify the rep
46、orted complaints. The combined Companv Complaint Survevs acquired data on 71 employee complaints and 13 customer complaints which listed a total of 191 individual symptoms. The surveys also acquired data on the complainants gender, age, and type (employee or consumer); exposure location; probable MT
47、BE source; and medical treatment received (if any). ITAQS developed a database listing all data acquired through the original and follow-up surveys, including a few complaints reported prior to the specified start date of January 1 , 1988 (ITAQS, 1995). In the State Complaint Survev, API administere
48、d a separate questionnaire requesting complaint data to 10 API state directors and to 11 state officers of allied oil and gas associations. Appendix C of the report by ITAQS (1995) provides an overview of this survey and a copy of the survey questionnaire. Two survey respondents indicated that their
49、 states did not have winter oxygenated fuels programs. Three respondents stated that no MTBE-related complaints had been received. The responses of the remaining questionnaire recipients are summarized in Appendix C of the report by ITAQS (1995). In the Exposure Survey, ITAQS administered a survey questionnaire to industrial hygienists at 17 API member companies. The survey produced a database listing over 1,800 separate measurements. Each measurement was characterized by MTBE concentration, facility type and location, employee occupation, sample type (personnel or
