In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, Beatrice Bizzaro and Ivy Liu take a deeper dive into the environmental consequences of 6PPD-quinone, focusing on its devastating effects on coho salmon. As a keystone and indicator species, coho salmon play a critical role in ecosystem health and provide an early warning signal for water pollution.
The episode explains how 6PPD, a widely used tire additive, reacts with ozone to form a highly toxic byproduct that enters waterways through stormwater runoff. This has led to acute and often rapid mortality events in salmon populations, particularly in urban streams, with significant ecological, cultural, and economic implications.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the urgent need for improved stormwater management, stronger regulatory action, and the development of safer chemical alternatives. It calls on organisations and regulators to take proactive steps to reduce pollutant release and better protect aquatic ecosystems.
00:06 – Introduction & episode overview
00:43 – Why coho salmon are key indicator species
03:28 – How 6PPD enters waterways
05:04 – Why research is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest
06:09 – Key takeaways and urgency for action
07:28 – Salmon life cycle and vulnerability
09:25 – “Canary in the coal mine” explained
11:45 – Closing reflections
Rethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of 70+ companies providing environment, health, safety, and sustainability services, working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit inogenalliance.com to learn more.
https://www.Inogenalliance.com/resources
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Beatrice on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-bizzaro/
Ivy on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivy-liu-p-geo-qpra-4a797520/
Produced by https://www.madcontent.co.nz
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Hello everyone and welcome to Season 3 of Rethinking.
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The EHS Global Goals, Local Delivery
and Inogen Alliance podcast.
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My name is Beatrice Designer,
Water Stewardship Technology Lead at HPC Italy,
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and your host for today’s bonus episode.
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I’m joined by Ivy from Terrapex.
Thanks for being here again, Ivy.
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as an early warning indicator?
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Coho salmon are extremely sensitive.
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It helps to view them in the broader
Pacific Northwest salmon context.
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They’re among the most affected species
by 6PPD-quinone contamination.
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Salmon are vital to ecosystems —
as predators, prey, and nutrient recyclers.
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They also act as indicator species,
reflecting overall water quality.
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Coho salmon are especially useful indicators
because their response is acute and repeatable.
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This makes them key for identifying
urban runoff contamination.
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6PPD-quinone has been recognised
as a global contaminant since 2023.
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How does it enter surface water?
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a chemical used in car tyres.
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particles react with ozone.
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This creates the toxic byproduct,
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in the Pacific Northwest?
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Because coho salmon are native there,
and mass die-offs were highly visible.
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That triggered strong local research efforts
across universities and institutions.
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The chemical is highly toxic
and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
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We urgently need safer alternatives
and better stormwater management.
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Why are salmon especially vulnerable?
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moving between ocean and freshwater.
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This exposes them to risks
across multiple environments.
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They hatch in streams, move through estuaries,
then mature in the ocean.
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Finally, they return to freshwater
to spawn — often in urban areas.
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What does “canary in the coal mine” mean?
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They signal broader water quality issues
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Their response is rapid and often lethal.
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Mortality can reach 60–90%,
sometimes within 90 minutes.
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Even at extremely low concentrations.
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This makes them powerful indicators
of broader environmental contamination.
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