West Coast Fishermen Sue Major Tire Manufacturers Over Use of Chemicals Harmful to Salmon and Trout Populations

Chemical 6PPD-quinone, used in major tire-manufacturing processes, accused of causing mass deaths among salmon and trout populations along West Coast, potentially violating the Endangered Species Act.

The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the Institute for Fisheries Resources filed a lawsuit against 13 major tire manufacturers including Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin over the use of chemical 6PPD-quinone, which is claimed to be responsible for mass deaths of salmon and trout populations.
The chemical, used in tire-manufacturing processes, is found in toxic concentrations in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles watersheds. The chemicals enter the water bodies when rain washes them off the roads and parking lots.
The plaintiffs accuse the companies of being aware of the detrimental effects of this chemical on aquatic life, yet continue to use it, thereby causing environmental damage and possible violation of the Endangered Species Act.
The lawsuit names as many as two dozen endangered populations of fish impacted along the West Coast, which has led to a shortage of stocks and forced the suspension of commercial salmon fishing in California.
The organizations have asked a federal judge to find the companies in violation of the Endangered Species Act, order them to stop using 6PPD-quinone, and pay the plaintiffs for the financial losses incurred.