Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has been added to gasoline formulations in recent years as an octane booster and anti-knock compound. It also reduces carbon monoxide emissions. However, some questions have been raised about its potential toxicity in the environment. For more information on MTBE, consult the Cal EPA web site and this EPA web site.

Therefore, interest has grown in how to analyze for MTBE along with other gasoline compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylenes and ethylbenzene (BTXE). EPA Method 8020, Aromatic Volatile Organics by Purge and Trap GC/PID, is suitable for determining MTBE. WCAS has added MTBE to our Method 8020 target list. However, as with other PID methods, it is subject to interferences from the hydrocarbons present in gasoline. Even second column confirmation can yield false positives, due to the many different constituents of gasoline. For the detection of trace MTBE in gasoline-contaminated soils or water, we recommend EPA Method 8260, which utilizes GCMS. GCMS gives unequivocal results for MTBE due to its unique mass spectrum, which is easily distinguishable from potentially interfering matrix components. The BTXE components can also be measured in the same analysis, again without matrix interferences. If you need to analyze for MTBE in samples that may be contaminated with gasoline, give us a call to discuss your options. 

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