Where are the Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal risks of impacts most High Medium Medium Moderate High Low likely? While no ether related incidents were identified in Australia, MTBE in particular has been implicated in explosions and groundwater contamination elsewhere in the world: Tanker explosion Saudi Arabia The chemical tanker Stolt Valor was carrying a cargo of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) when it exploded in the Persian Gulf in March 2012 killing one crew member 1. MTBE was also the same cargo that exploded on the Bow Mariner in 2004, an incident that sparked a Has anything series of initiatives aimed at ending often catastrophic explosions on chemical tankers. happened MTBE in groundwater USA before in Australia? MTBE emerged as a significant issue for water utilities in the US in 1996 when it was detected in groundwater supplies for the city of Santa Monica only two years after it was introduced into fuel supplies in California 2. The contamination was traced to leaking underground fuel storage tanks. Groundwater pollution involving MTBE in the US has ballooned since that time. The cost to oil companies to clean up the MTBE in wells in Santa Monica was ultimately $423 million, settled in May 2008.2 Companies that handle organic solvents and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these Industry – pollutants. systematic The printing industry, a significant generator of solvent wastes, controls established a code of practice in Victoria in 1996, aimed at reducing solvent emissions to the atmosphere. In 2004 this was replaced with an EPA Victoria information bulletin.3 Potential industrial sources of organic solvent waste have strict What control emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in measures are Industry – place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal in place to exposure protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting manage risks controls exposure to airborne sources of, and skin contact with, solvents and posed by this their wastes. waste? Regulatory levels are set by state and territory government agencies for exposure of workers to a range of volatile organic substances. Similar controls for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist on companies through environmental licensing regimes. Government The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 provides a legislative framework for setting national fuel quality and fuel quality information standards for Australia4. These standards include a restriction on MTBE use in Australian fuel to 1% by volume, which compares to usage in imported fuel and as high as 10-15% in the US5 prior to
Where are the risks of impacts most likely? Generation Transport Storage Treatment Recovery Final disposal High Medium Medium Moderate High Low Has anything happened before in Australia? While no ether related incidents were identified in Australia, MTBE in particular has been implicated in explosions and groundwater contamination elsewhere in the world: Tanker explosion Saudi Arabia The chemical tanker Stolt Valor was carrying a cargo of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) when it exploded in the Persian Gulf in March 2012 killing one crew member 1. MTBE was also the same cargo that exploded on the Bow Mariner in 2004, an incident that sparked a series of initiatives aimed at ending often catastrophic explosions on chemical tankers. MTBE in groundwater USA MTBE emerged as a significant issue for water utilities in the US in 1996 when it was detected in groundwater supplies for the city of Santa Monica only two years after it was introduced into fuel supplies in California 2. The contamination was traced to leaking underground fuel storage tanks. Groundwater pollution involving MTBE in the US has ballooned since that time. The cost to oil companies to clean up the MTBE in wells in Santa Monica was ultimately $423 million, settled in May 2008.2 What control measures are in place to manage risks posed by this waste? Industry – systematic controls Companies that handle organic solvents and their wastes are licensed by environmental regulators to control industrial processes and equipment so as to limit environmental emissions of these pollutants. The printing industry, a significant generator of solvent wastes, established a code of practice in Victoria in 1996, aimed at reducing solvent emissions to the atmosphere. In 2004 this was replaced with an EPA Victoria information bulletin.3 Industry – exposure controls Potential industrial sources of organic solvent waste have strict emissions control and chemical handling equipment and systems in place. Additionally at-risk workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly relating to restricting exposure to airborne sources of, and skin contact with, solvents and their wastes. Government Regulatory levels are set by state and territory government agencies for exposure of workers to a range of volatile organic substances. Similar controls for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist on companies through environmental licensing regimes. The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 provides a legislative framework for setting national fuel quality and fuel quality information standards for Australia4. These standards include a restriction on MTBE use in Australian fuel to 1% by volume, which compares to usage in imported fuel and as high as 10-15% in the US5 prior to
waste-recycling-process-of-used-oil-drilling3.docx