Overview of Gasoline Types and Their Composition

The study compares two types of gasoline commonly used in Indonesia: Pertamax and Premium. Pertamax is formulated without lead and contains methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) or ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) as an octane booster, achieving an octane rating of 92. In contrast, Premium gasoline contains tetra-ethyl lead, which is associated with an octane rating of 88.

The presence of lead and benzene in Premium gasoline poses significant health risks, particularly to the respiratory system, as these compounds are known irritants that can adversely affect bronchial tissues. In the experimental study, white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were exposed to vapors from both gasoline types for eight hours a day over a 30-day period. The results indicated notable differences in bronchial histology between the control group and those exposed to gasoline vapors.

Specifically, the bronchial epithelium in rats exposed to Premium gasoline exhibited a greater thickness compared to those exposed…