Inflate Your Tires to Help Protect Salmon

Did you know there is a chemical in your car tires that can kill coho salmon? This chemical is called 6PPD. When it mixes with ozone in the air, it turns into 6PPD-quinone, or 6PPD-q for short. As tires wear down, they lose tiny pieces that have 6PPD-q, heavy metals, and micro-particles. When it rains, these chemicals wash into storm drains and then into local streams.

Studies show that 6PPD-q is very toxic to coho salmon. Even a few hours of exposure to this chemical in stormwater can kill them.

But you can help! Here's a simple tip to protect salmon: check your tire pressure and fill your tires when needed. Tires with the right pressure wear out less and lose fewer harmful particles.

This rainy season, don't wait to inflate!