EPA is asking for data on a widely used rubber chemical, a major step toward regulating a chemical known to be extremely deadly for aquatic life.
The agency issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday, a month ahead of the White House’s estimated timeline, to collect more information on 6PPD, a chemical used in most tires that breaks down into the chemical responsible for massive coho salmon die-offs in the Pacific Northwest, 6PPD-quinone.
EPA last November granted a petition from three tribes asking for a review and subsequent regulations on the chemical and its byproduct. The data collected through this notice will be used to shape an eventual rule.
“Today, we’re following through on the commitment we made to our Tribal partners to gather more information about this chemical used in rubber products to help protect coho salmon,” Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in a statement.
