Thursday, May 08, 2008

Some oil firms agree to settle lawsuits over additive MTBE - except Exxon Mobil and some others

CNN Money has an article over a planned settlement over the anti-knocking additive MTBE, which was used to replace lead. MTBE, even at very low concentrations, renders water undrinkable by ruining the taste. That said, it is not known to be poisonous at low doses.

That doesn't mean it isn't. Not all industrial chemicals are studied, mainly for a lack of funds. In those that are studied, animal studies and very high doses are used. The results are then extrapolated to humans, and chronic, low doses. It's not an exact science.

Either way, it's depressing but unsurprising to see Exxon Mobil act like it's above needing to care for the communities it may have affected.

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