E&E News
The agency launched its information-collection stage for 6PPD and 6PPD-q, a byproduct of worn-down rubber items highly toxic to aquatic species.
E&E NEWS PM | EPA is asking for data on a widely used rubber chemical, a major step toward regulating a chemical known to be extremely deadly for aquatic life.
The agency issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday, a month ahead of the White House’s estimated timeline, to collect more information on 6PPD, a chemical used in most tires that breaks down into the chemical responsible for massive coho salmon die-offs in the Pacific Northwest, 6PPD-quinone.
EPA last November granted a petition from three tribes asking for a review and subsequent regulations on the chemical and its byproduct. The data collected through this notice will be used to shape an eventual rule.
“Today, we’re following through on the commitment we made to our Tribal partners to gather more information about this chemical used in rubber products to help protect coho salmon,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in a statement.
In addition to tires, 6PPD is also used to make shoes, playground equipment and artificial turf.
Much is still unknown about how 6PPD-q affects humans, but early research suggests it can have toxic effects on the brain, lungs, liver and digestive and reproductive systems. Researchers four years ago determined even small amounts of 6PPD-q can kill coho salmon within hours of exposure, an explanation for a decades-old phenomenon of fish in streams going belly-up after a rainstorm.
Republicans, Democrats and the tire industry, which has poured resources into more research, all agree that finding an alternative to 6PPD is a priority.
“6PPD is a disaster for our ecosystems, our economy, and Tribal communities,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), chair of the subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety, said in a statement. “Transitioning away from using this dangerous, salmon-killing chemical is just one piece of the puzzle.”
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