By Canadian Press

Tire residue chemical in rain runoff kills fish in urban streams, research finds

Mar 16, 2022 | 11:54 AM

A new Canadian study is adding to a growing body of research that shows residue from vehicle tires contains a chemical highly toxic to several important species of fish. 

In a newly published paper, University of Saskatchewan toxicologist Markus Brinkmann says the chemicalkills trout and some salmon species in concentrations no greater than a pinch of salt in a swimming pool.

He says the threat is greatest in streams that run near or through urban areas, especially after heavy rain.

Brinkmann says the problem was first discovered in 2021 in Washington state salmon streams, when hikers found dying coho salmon after heavy rains and scientists linked their deaths to contaminants in runoff. 

Brinkmann’s research has found the same effect in rainbow and brook trout, although not in other species such as sturgeon or Arctic char.

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He says little is known about how the chemical, called 6-PPD quinone, behaves in the environment or which species it affects. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2022. 

The Canadian Press