File photo.

Environmental law group threatens to sue tire manufacturers over pollutants

Chemicals in tires allegedly end up in waterways and harm salmon populations.

On Aug. 15, environmental litigation group, Earthjustice, notified more than a dozen American tire manufacturers of their intent to sue them over violations of the Endangered Species Act if they do nothing to stop their alleged chemical pollution.

In the letter to the tire manufacturers, Earthjustice acknowledges that the suit is being made on behalf of the Institute for Fisheries Resources and Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, because chemicals used in the production of tires has had adverse impacts on coho, steelhead and Chinook salmon species.

The letter, addressed to tire manufacturers that include Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Cooper tires, alleges that the chemicals known as 6PPD and 6PPD-q get from roads into waterways from the tires these companies produce and sell to consumers.

“Exposure to 6PPD-q can kill a coho salmon within hours, and the chemical is responsible for ‘urban runoff mortality syndrome,’ which kills up to 100% of coho returning to spawn in urban streams,” read the letter from Earthjustice’s lawyers.

The environmental advocacy group alleges that these chemicals have already had an impact on Pacific salmon populations, citing research that suggests “[w]ild coho populations cannot withstand the high rates of mortality that are now regularly occurring in urban spawning habitats, and that “it will be difficult, if not impossible to reverse historical coho declines without addressing the toxic pollution dimension of freshwater habitats.”

According to Earthjustice, 6PPD-q is present not only in stormwater runoff and urban watersheds at levels that can harm and kill coho salmon, steelhead trout, Chinook salmon, and other aquatic organisms, but is also now widely present in sediments and soils, household dust, and the urine of pregnant women, with emerging science pointing to toxicity in mammals and therefore potential risk to human health as well.

In the letter to the tire manufacturers, that are mostly based in California, Earthjustice gave the companies 60 days to cease the “unauthorized take of these species” before they engage in litigation against the manufacturers




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Business

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes 29th New Shepard flight

Unmanned mission launched Feb. 4 from West Texas

Ezee Fiber, based in Houston, Texas, features orange vehicles with white lettering, and will be offering service in Kent in 2025. COURTESY PHOTO, Ezee Fiber
Texas-based Ezee Fiber to offer internet service in Kent

Company announces $400 million expansion to Washington state; regional headquarters in Kent

t
Kent-based Blue Origin reschedules New Glenn rocket launch | Update

Company plans unmanned first flight for Thursday, Jan. 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes vehicle hotfire test | Update

Moves closer to first flight of New Glenn rocket which could come Jan. 10

t
Southern cooking restaurant to open at Highline College

Jumpin’ Jumbalaya offers Cajun-Creole fushion

t
Sure Lock Escapes opens 2 escape rooms in downtown Kent

Owners opened first location in 2022 in Renton

Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent will give away more than 1,000 meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Nana’s Southern Kitchen
Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent to give away 1,000 meals Christmas Day

Fifth year of event to give back to community and provide meals to those in need

Kent School of Rock’s new owners Phil Gustavson, Joshila Wilson and Chris Wilson. COURTESY PHOTO, School of Rock
School of Rock Kent new owners plan relaunch party Dec. 14

Group looks to bring ‘fresh perspective and energy to iconic music education brand’

t
California-based El Pollo Loco picks Kent for first Washington location

L.A.-Mex chain restaurant known for its fire-grilled chicken

t
Dough Zone restaurant now open at Kent Station shopping center

Features Chinese comfort food, including soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, noodles and potstickers

The crew that completed Kent-based Blue Origin’s ninth human flight into space on Friday, Nov. 22. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin
Kent-based Blue Origin completes ninth human spaceflight

Six-member crew soars into space from West Texas for 10-minute flight

Advance Auto Parts plans to close its locations in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn. COURTESY PHOTO, Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts to close stores in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn

Part of nine closures in state and more than 500 across the nation