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Press
Release
Sierra Club of Canada
December 16th 2004
MMT On Its Way Out in Canada
(Ottawa) The controversial fuel additive, MMT, may finally be
disappearing from Canadian gas. A recent survey by Sierra Club
of Canada revealed that virtually every major refiner of gasoline
in Canada has started phasing out MMT, a manganese based replacement
for lead. Like lead, manganese is neuro-toxic. MMT is also a threat
to air quality due to its propensity to gum up catalytic converters
in automobiles. MMT results in more air pollution. Its health
and environmental threats led the Government to ban it in the
late 1990s. However, various trade challenges, including Chapter
11 of NAFTA, resulted in the repeal of the legislation. Nevertheless,
pressure from the car makers, environmentalists and health protection
groups has not disappeared.
According to the Sierra Club of Canada, so far Shell Canada,
Irving, Imperial, PetroCanada, Suncor, and Ultramar have stopped
using MMT. Only Co-Op and Husky are still adding the controversial
neuro-toxic anti-knock agent to gas.
"We congratulate the major refineries of Canada for taking
action in the public interest by voluntarily ending the use of
this neuro-toxic additive," said Elizabeth May, Executive
Director of SCC, "And we call on Husky and Co-op to stop
buying and using this dangerous substance."
One of the world's leading experts on the neurological effects
of manganese, Dr. Donna Mergler of UQAM commented, " A voluntary
phase-out of MMT in Canada is very good news. As a consequence,
we should see reductions in environmental exposure to manganese.
Although manganese is an essential element that we get through
food, in higher quantities, it can be toxic. When it is inhaled,
it is taken up quickly into the blood and the brain. Our studies
have shown that higher blood manganese can lead to slowing of
motor functions, particularly among the elderly. In our aging
society, this can have important consequences for care and autonomy.
I hope that we will continue monitoring for manganese in our environment
and carry out studies that will inform us about its effects, particularly
in susceptible populations, such as children and the elderly.
In this way, we will be able to act preventively if the issue
arises again."
The situation in the US mirrors that now unfolding in Canada.
Although MMT was forced to be registered by court action taken
by the manufacturer, Ethyl Corporation of Richmond, Virginia,
no refinery in the US will use it due to consumer and environmental
group rejection of the additive.
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Contact:
Elizabeth May, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada, 613-241-4611
Dr. Donna Mergler, University of Québec at Montreal, 514-270-1915
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