The Illinois attorney that filed the proposed class action suit claims that Shell Oil, Exxon and Mobil persuaded Congress to adopt a new recipe for gasoline although the oil companies knew an ingredient would contaminate groundwater.

The complaint alleges the oil companies “demonstrated their willingness to use any means to place their economic interest above the health, property and well-being of the people of the United States.”

Shell Oil and Exxon Mobil responded that the plaintiffs sought to replace national water quality standards with standards of their own formulas.

The case concerns methyl tertiary butyl ether, which the defendants produce at their refineries. Adding it to gasoline reduces pollution from automobile exhaust.

The attorney that brought the suit wrote in her complaint that, “Unlike oil, which does not mix with water, MTBE mixes so well with water that it spreads its toxic plumes faster and farther than other chemical components contained in gasoline.”

When it contaminates groundwater, she wrote, “…its foul taste and odor may render the water virtually unusable and unfit for human consumption.”

The lawyer claims no personal injury to the plaintiffs. She seeks damages for reduced value of properties, and she wants defendants to pay to clean up the properties. She also wants the defendants to pay for bottled water, temporary filter systems and permanent hookups to public and private water systems.

The attorney named Howard Graham and Rhea McMannis as plaintiffs. Graham is a St. Clair County, Illionois resident and McMannis is a Madison Count, Illinois resident.