As I commented in my last post, ethanol in gasoline blends increases the volatility of gasoline. This leads to more hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, which leads to a greater ozone risk. Note that this doesn't apply to pure ethanol, and doesn't apply as much to E-85.
However, ozone is just one kind of pollution. Other kinds of pollution that gasoline combustion deals with include:
* Nitrogen oxides
* Carbon monoxide
* Particulate matter
* Sulfur compounds
To reduce the first three, it is generally mandated that gasoline have an additive that provides oxygen in the fuel. Traditionally, this has been MBTE. However, requiring MBTE took the same sort of "only examine one problem" view that you espouse. They only looked at air pollution, but ignored a major problem of MBTE:
* MBTE contaminates water.
Ethanol doesn't. So, while an additive is generally needed for gasoline mixes to reduce more serious air pollution risks, you have to choose between whether you'd rather have a small amount of ground ozone increase or water contamination.
false choice. MTBE shouldnt' be there either. We should have clean burning gasoline, free of bad government mandated gas.
Everyone always wants to present these choices:
1. Foreign oil
2. Ethanol substitute
3. Ethanol additive or MTBE additive.
The real choice isn't any one of those, it's drilled in america good old gasoline. People have been so condition to accepting the government provide choices they forget to ask for the best one that the government refuses to offer.It's become a sad nation of sheep.
Don't fight for the worst of three government provided choices - fight for the best one and demand the government follow your lead.