Only in the past few years has 6-PPDQ begun to make headlines after pivotal research emerged from Washington State University in 2020 that demonstrated its toxic effects on wildlife. A preservative used in tires, 6-PPD, is shed on our roadways as tire dust due to wear and tear. On its own, the tire dust is not toxic, but when introduced into our local waterways via storm drains during rain events, 6-PPD breaks down into its toxic form of 6-PPDQ. This toxin is especially detrimental to the health of salmonids and has proven fatal to coho salmon fry in exceedingly small quantities (think in the parts-per-trillion!). During the spawning season, the mix of rainfall, busy roadways, and salmon-bearing streams can be a detrimental combination to salmonid populations, leading to mass die-offs of thousands of salmonids. In collaboration with the BCCF and VIU, we have been one of many sampling teams across Vancouver Island collecting valuable data on the presence of 6-PPDQ in our waterways. We have been testing the water in Gorge Creek, which receives stormwater from Craigflower Road during rain events. While Gorge Creek is not currently salmon-bearing, we have detected 6-PPDQ in quantities fatal to coho. Learn more about the project and 6-PPDQ here. As a relatively new field of research, there will be continual findings emerging about the effects of 6-PPDQ on local wildlife populations and the ways we can minimize this toxin from entering our waterways. Reducing car usage, supporting rain gardens and other stormwater management methods, and using seasonally appropriate tires have proven to be some effective methods for reducing your 6-PPD contribution.

Curious about the 6-PPDQ numbers on Vancouver Island? Use this BCCF Interactive Database to see the results from Gorge Creek and other sampling sites across the Island.