RECOPE continues to sell gasoline with MMT additive

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – September 13th, 2012 – Despite the complaints lodged from motorists claiming damage to their vehicles caused by the additive known as MMT, and despite charges of health and environmental damage, the Costa Rican Petroleum Refinery (RECOPE) will continue to sell gasoline containing MMT for some time.

According to the latest report from the Electrochemistry and Chemical Energy Center at the University of Costa Rica (CELEQ, in Spanish), RECOPE facilities still have plenty of fuel with MMT to deliver. The remaining fuel exceeds 18 milligrams per liter of MMT, the established international standard that has been set in countries where MMT is allowed. Some of the RECOPE facilities are coming up with levels of up to 93 milligrams per liter

The facilities in Barranca, La Garita, el Alto and Moin have fuel with different levels of the additive depending on if the gas is labeled regular or super.

The official report from CELEQ is now in the hands of the Public Service Regulating Authority (ARESEP). Carlos Leon, director of CELEQ, stated that the levels of manganese found in the samples recently are very similar to the previous ones, and that more time will have to pass in order for the remainder of the MMT-laced fuel to be eliminated from the gasoline supply.

MMT is prohibited in countries such as Canada and the United States.

The Health Ministry assured on August 21st that not only would they prohibit its use, but they would also have it removed from the market immediately.

Meanwhile, authorities are examining 17 formal complaints from people who say their vehicles suffered damage caused by MMT. All of the vehicles are models 2008 and above, of various makes.