Editing Methyl tert-butyl ether (section)

==Persistence and pervasiveness in the environment==
MTBE gives water an unpleasant taste, even at very low concentrations of <30&nbsp;μg/L (<30ppb).<ref>{{cite journal |journal = Environ Sci Pollut Res Int |year = 2005 |volume = 12 |issue = 6 |pages = 381–6 |title = Biotic and abiotic transformations of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) |vauthors = Fischer A, Oehm C, Selle M, Werner P |pmid = 16305145 |doi = 10.1065/espr2005.08.277 |s2cid = 97168152}}</ref> MTBE often is introduced into water-supply [[aquifer]]s by leaking [[underground storage tank]]s (USTs) at gasoline stations or spills of gasoline. The higher water solubility and persistence of MTBE cause it to travel faster and farther than many other components of gasoline when released into an aquifer.<ref>[http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb2/download/WMI%202004%20Executive%20Summary.pdf San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board Integrated Basin Management Plan (2004)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229160231/http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb2/download/WMI%202004%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |date=2008-02-29 }}</ref>

MTBE is biodegraded by the action of bacteria. In the proper type of [[bioreactor]], such as a [[fluidized bed]] bioreactor, MTBE may be removed rapidly and economically from water to undetectable levels. [[Activated carbon]] produced from coconut shells and optimized for MTBE adsorption may reduce MTBE to undetectable levels,<ref name="Carbon: Optimized Activated Carbons for MTBE Removal in POU/POE Systems"> [http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/spotlight.pdf link text] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728081446/http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/spotlight.pdf |date=2011-07-28 }}</ref> although this level of reduction is likely to occur only in the most ideal circumstances. There are currently no known published cases of any in-situ treatment method that has been capable of reducing contaminant concentrations to baseline (pre-development) conditions within the aquifer soil matrix.

According to the [[International Agency for Research on Cancer]] (IARC), a branch of the [[World Health Organization]], MTBE is not classified as a human [[carcinogen]].