A ubiquitous tire rubber–derived chemical induces acute mortality in coho salmon

Tire tread particles turn streams toxic For coho salmon in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, returning to spawn in urban and suburban streams can be deadly. Regular acute mortality events are tied, in particular, to stormwater runoff, but the identity of the causative toxicant(s) has not been known. Starting from leachate from new and aged tire tread wear particles, Tian et al. followed toxic fractions through chromatography steps, eventually isolating a single molecule that could induce acute toxicity at threshold concentrations of ∼1 microgram per liter. The compound, called 6PPD-quinone, is an oxidation product of an additive intended to prevent damage to tire rubber from ozone. Measurements from road runoff and…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1803240, 1608464
• UE
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  Awards: #DW-014-92437301, 01J18101
• FD
  Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

  Awards: 2019/14770-9, 2018/16040-5
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  Awards: ALLRP 549399, RGPIN-2019-04165