National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE)
Status: Unregulated - EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Ethyl-t-butyl ether is a synthetic chemical used as a fuel additive and an octane enhancer for gasoline.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 1 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 2 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 114,060 |
- |
- |
Health Concerns for Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE):
Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) Exposure by State
Water utilities in 1 states have reported detecting Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| California | 2 | 114,060 |
| Total | 2 | 114,060 |
The Most Polluted Communities
2 water utilities reported detecting Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Water Service-S San Francisco South San Francisco, CA | 54,060 | 1 of 2 | 0.35 ppb (0 to 0.7 ppb) |
| 2 | South Tahoe Pud - Main South Lake Tahoe, CA | 60,000 | 1 of 178 | < 0.01 ppb (0 to 0.25 ppb) |
Testing Summary for Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE)
| Are tests routinely required for Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) by federal law? | No |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Ethyl-t-butyl ether (ETBE) (2004-2009): | 1,875 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 1.2 per year |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7630 |
Occupational hazards
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Type of concern: | Reference: |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7630 |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | PROPANE, 2-ETHOXY-2-METHYL | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7630 | PROPANE, 2-ETHOXY-2-METHYL | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7630 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0557630 |
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