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Title: Effect of vehicle use and maintenance patterns of a self-described group of sensitive individuals and nonsensitive individuals to methyl tertiary-butyl ether in gasoline.

Authors: Opiekun, R E; Freeman, N C; Kelly-McNeil, K; Fiedler, N L; Lioy, P J

Published In J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol, (2001 Mar-Apr)

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the driving habits and vehicle maintenance patterns of individuals who report symptoms when exposed to methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and those who are asymptomatic when exposed to the oxygenate. Participants were healthy volunteers (CON) and self-reported MTBE-sensitive individuals (SRS) who participated in a controlled exposure study of MTBE in gasoline. A questionnaire was developed to gather information about each participant's automobile usage, engine maintenance habits and fueling and driving patterns. Results showed that the individuals who had self-reported heightened sensitivity to the oxygenate drove their vehicles more often and fueled their vehicles more frequently than asymptomatic individuals. In addition, the self-reported symptomatic individuals in this study were shown to be more likely to drive vehicles with some form of body damage and carbureted engines.

PubMed ID: 11409008 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: No MeSH terms associated with this publication

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