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USTMA Joins Members of Congress From Washington State, Other Stakeholders to Review Progress on 6PPD-Quinone

February 25, 2022

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is pleased to participate in the roundtable discussion hosted by Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) on the important work being performed to understand the role of 6PPD-Quinone in coho salmon mortality in the Pacific Northwest. USTMA is encouraged that high-level public officials are engaging stakeholders at the state and federal level, tribes and industry to evaluate data gaps and research needs and ways to advance responsible, expeditious solutions. We are hopeful today’s meeting will spur action by the federal government to fund continued research and the advancement of mitigation strategies.

6PPD-Quinone is a previously unknown transformation product of 6PPD, an antioxidant and antiozonant used in tire manufacturing to enable tires to meet stringent standards for driver and passenger safety. Within three weeks of the December 2020 publication of the Tian et al. study that first identified 6PPD-Quinone as a causal agent to coho salmon mortality in Washington, USTMA requested that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) review 6PPD in tires under the Safer Consumer Products Regulations. The tire industry has continued to collaborate with researchers and regulators in both Washington and California throughout the last year to support needed research and is committed to pursuing an alternatives analysis for 6PPD in California.

It is well established that there are many remaining unknowns about this transformation product, so USTMA is focused on helping to fill these critical data gaps. Simultaneously, USTMA supports the increased implementation of bioretention technologies, such as stormwater infiltration galleries and bioswales, which have been proven to reduce environmental impacts, including roadway runoff that may be a source of 6PPD-Quinone.

For more information about 6PPD, 6PPD-Quinone and the USTMA’s actions on this issue since December 2020, please visit the USTMA website.

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 11 member companies operate 56 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 16 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTires.