Global Lead Network: Launching an Anti-MMT Campaign
Current Initiatives
New Anti-MMT Campaign Launched at WSSD
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), a metal-based gasoline additive used to boost octane, is being promoted as a replacement for tetraethyl lead (TEL). While a switch from TEL to MMT would by definition reduce lead pollution and poisoning, the use of MMT opens a Pandora’s box of other problems. Studies of workers exposed to airborne manganese show that when manganese is inhaled, it can cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms, including tremors, slowed reaction times, and difficulty learning. Furthermore, various automobile and emission control technology manufacturers have conducted studies demonstrating that MMT use interferes with catalytic converter performance, increases emissions, and reduces fuel economy.
Why should lead poisoning prevention, climate change, and clean air advocates care about MMT? Most importantly, we cannot declare victory over leaded gasoline if lead is replaced with another elemental neurotoxin. Leaded gasoline phase-out is vital to protecting public health and the environment not only because it prevents exposure to lead, but also because it is a prerequisite to introducing catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and other pollution control and energy-saving devices. Replacing lead with MMT represents a lost opportunity to improve air quality and vehicle performance.
In response to the dangers of MMT use to public health and the environment, as well as the growing trend to use it as a replacement for TEL, the Alliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning launched an anti-MMT campaign at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 26 – September 4, 2002.
If you have any information on the use of MMT in your country or would like to participate in planning and implementing this new campaign, please contact the Trust.
The documents and other resources listed below provide background, policy, and technical information for implementing the Anti-MMT Campaign.
Resources
- The MMT Fact Sheet
- Don’t Repeat the Leaded Gasoline Experiment: Keep MMT out of Gasoline – Background Paper and Policy Statement
- Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Press Release, July 30, 2002: New Auto Study Finds Fuel Additive Causes Vehicle Emission Failures .
- The Impact of MMT on Vehicle Emissions and Durability – Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Technical Studies
- MMT: Questions and Controversies – Environmental Defense, January 1994
- Environmental Defense Press Releases on MMT – August 19, 1998 ; December 3, 1996 ; September 10, 1996 ; July 30, 1996
- Comments on the Gasoline Additive MMT – USEPA
- MMT Watch – Health & Clean Air Newsletter website.
- Status Report Concerning the Use of MMT in Gasoline – International Council on Clean Transportation
