6PPD – Edmonds Environmental Council

Stormwater & residential pollution

Department of Ecology

One of the main pollution sources from urban and suburban communities is stormwater. Stormwater is rain and snow melt that flows over rooftops, streets, landscaping, and parking lots that can pick up and carry pollution into nearby waterways. Stormwater is not always treated even when it flows into street drains and can be a leading threat to water quality. Due to the significant rain and snow across the state, Washington has become a leader in stormwater management.

What is 6PPD-quinone?

Environmental protection Agency
November 26, 2024

Vehicle tires contain the chemical known as 6PPD to prevent tires from breaking down due to reactions with ozone and other reactive oxygen species in the air. When 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air, it forms 6PPD-quinone. Tires wear down through contact with roads, releasing particles into the environment. When it rains, stormwater from hard surfaces like parking lots and streets washes these particles into streams and other water bodies. As a result, 6PPD-quinone may be present and aquatic organisms can be exposed to it.

Scientists discover ‘potential breakthrough’ in protecting salmon from urban killer

March 28, 2025 at 6:00 am

By Amanda Zhou
Seattle Times staff reporter

For decades, toxic tire dust has choked coho salmon before they can spawn in their natal streams. Now, King County scientists say they have made a “potential breakthrough” in how to save them.

Western Washington University student researchers split a sample of treated stormwater into smaller amounts for analysis. (Courtesy of Curtis Hinman)

Link to Seattle Time article

Why are so many Coho salmon dying? The answer might be in your tires

By Camila Domonoske, Jessica Yung, Rebecca Ramirez
November 20, 2024

For decades, Coho salmon were turning up dead in urban streams the Pacific Northwest. The salmon would stop swimming straight, and then die before they had a chance to spawn. Researchers worried that unless they figured out the cause, the species would eventually go extinct.

From tires to nail polish, we’re studying a new round of consumer products with toxic chemicals

Draft report open for formal public comment

by Cathy Hamilton-Wissmer
November 1, 2024

In May 2024, our Safer Products for Washington team identified a new set of toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. That’s important because it gives us an opportunity to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and prevent their release into the environment. We want your feedback on the products we’ve identified as significant sources of these toxic chemicals.

6PPD Action Plan and Alternatives Assessment – Progress Report and Recommendations

Ecology
October 29, 2024

In both the 2022 Supplemental Operating and 2023 Operating budgets, the Washington State Legislature provided funds to Ecology to work on issues related to 6PPD. As part of this work, the Legislature requested that Ecology provide a progress report on the Action Plan and Alternatives Assessment by December 31, 2024.

ITRC Publishes New 6PPD Guidance

This new Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) document provides information about 6PPD and 6PPDQ that can help inform future policies and regulations. The guide provides:

An introduction to 6PPD and 6PPDQ.
Current knowledge of effects, toxicity, and physical/chemical properties of 6PPD and 6PPDQ.
The occurrence, fate, and transport of 6PPD and 6PPDQ in the environment.
An overview of measuring, mapping, and modeling techniques for these chemicals.
Discussion of mitigation measures, solutions, policies, regulations, and laws.
An overview of information gaps and research needs.

Read the report:

https://6ppd.itrcweb.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
September, 2024

King County’s Approach to Addressing 6PPD-q

PowerPoint slide presentation from September 19th, 2024
WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council meeting
July 10, 2024

6PPDqProjectUpdate2024Aug Download

Tire anti-degradant (6PPD) and 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ)

Department of Ecology

6PPD is a chemical that prevents automotive tires from degrading (i.e., breaking down) and helps them last longer. When 6PPD is exposed to air, it reacts with ozone to create 6PPD-quinone (also known as 6PPDQ). 6PPDQ is lethal to coho salmon and can contaminate water systems.

We work with Tribal and local governments, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and industrial organizations to reduce the pollution and sources of 6PPDQ released from tires in Washington.

Article continues…

Link to DOE article

Saving Washington’s salmon from toxic tire dust

Department of Ecology
January 25, 2023

We are taking action to reduce 6PPD-quinone, a chemical that is deadly to coho salmon

For over 20 years, scientists faced a toxic mystery: coho salmon returning to urban streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region were dying before they could lay their eggs. The culprit was unknown, but it seemed linked to toxic chemicals running off our roads and highways.

Department of Ecology – Our Committees, Boards, and Workgroups

We’re proud of the community involvement that supports Ecology’s mission. State, regional, and local governmental, non-governmental, and private constituents join forces to provide advice and oversight to a variety of projects and programs.

Below you will find links to many of the boards, committees, task forces, and other groups we contribute to. For additional information about our partnerships, boards, and committees, please visit our partnerships and committees page on our main website, ecology.wa.gov.

Our Committees, Boards, and Workgroups index

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