6PPD-q: The Tire Chemical Threatening Salmon

A toxic chemical from tire wear is entering our streams and causing pre-spawn mortality in salmon at low concentrations

Tire → road dust → rain → storm drain → stream → salmon

• 6PPD is a chemical added to tires to prevent cracking

• When tires wear down, particles wash into waterways

• It transforms into 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q)

• 6PPD-q is highly toxic to coho salmon

• Learn more with the links below:

  • USGS Environmental Health Program

  • University of Washington News

  • Publication in Science 2023: A ubiquitous tire rubber–derived chemical induces acute mortality in coho salmon by Tian et al.

  • King County Newsroom