Fri, May 15 2026

New Data on Salmon-Killing Chemical In San Francisco Bay

A new dataset on San Francisco Bay water includes some of the world's the first information about levels of the car tire chemical 6PPDQ in an estuary. Threatened steelhead trout may be susceptible to levels found in the Bay.

Tue, May 6 2025

"Unique as Snowflakes": Understanding Tire Particles

Techniques to isolate and identify tire particles will pave the way for better microplastic pollution research and management.

Sun, Oct 15 2023

Vehicle Tires Threaten Water Quality

Update: On October 1, 2023: California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) 6PPD regulations became effective, making it the first government in the world to regulate the chemical content of vehicle tires to protect salmon. DTSC is requiring tire manufacturers to identify alternatives to the tire preservative that is the source of the chemical toxic to coho salmon.

Wed, Nov 3 2021

A Synthesis of Microplastic Sources and Pathways to Urban Runoff

What do clothes dryers and car tires have in common?

Thu, Jul 29 2021

SFEI Experts Assist California’s Safer Consumer Products Program

Recent studies by the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) and the Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) have pinpointed chemical and microplastic contami

Fri, Dec 4 2020

Toxic Tire Contaminant Found in Bay Area Stormwater

Scientists at the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) have found a highly toxic tire-related contaminant at levels lethal to coho salmon in stormwater flowing through four sites in the Bay Area. The contaminant, derived from a tire preservative, has been discovered by Washington state researchers to be responsible for high levels of coho salmon deaths in Puget Sound streams. These findings will inform a petition by state stormwater leaders to the Department of Toxic Substances Control to address pollution of California streams caused by tires.