Ethanol Fact Sheet


What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is an alcohol made from renewable  resources such as corn and other cereal grains, food and other beverage wastes  and forestry by-products. Ethanol-blended fuel substantially reduces carbon  monoxide and volatile organic compound emissions, which are precursors to  ozone.  The corn-based substance is added to gasoline blends to meet oxygenate  level requirements mandated by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and to raise the octane level.

Environmental Benefits
 Ethanol is a renewable,  environment-friendly oxygenate prepared from corn that biodegrades quickly in water.

The Southwest Research Institute determined that a new blend of ethanol and  diesel fuel can reduce particulate matter emissions by as much as 41%, nitrogen  oxides by as much as 5% and carbon monoxide by 27%.

Ethanol reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 22% more than any other transportation fuel. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 identified carbon  monoxide (CO) as a “criteria pollutant” that threatens public health and the environment.

Ethanol fuels reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming by approximately 40%.

Ethanol enhances engine performance by increasing octane and raising oxygen  levels, cleaning and preventing engine deposits, and acting as a gas-line  antifreeze.

Ethanol in Illinois Market
 Illinois ranks second in U.S. corn production with more than 1.5 billion bushels produced annually.

Corn grown in Illinois is used to produce 40% of the ethanol consumed in the United States (Note: ethanol is blended in every state in the nation).

More than 95% of the gasoline sold in the Chicago area contains 10% ethanol.

Investment by the ethanol industry in Illinois exceeds $1 billion, generating  800 jobs in
plant operations and 4,000 jobs in the industry-related service  sector.

Illinois ethanol production alone has increased the national market price for  corn by
25 cents per bushel.

Health Considerations
 Unlike MTBE, it is nearly impossible for ethanol to contaminate drinking water because it biodegrades easily and quickly. (Canadian Renewable Fuels Association)

While exposure to ethanol via inhalation and ingestion is not recommended, it  has not been determined to cause adverse health effects.