A chemical compound released by tire wear affects the zebrafish nervous system

Anti-rust compounds are attached to automobile tires to prevent hardening and cracking. Among these compounds, the most widely used is 6PPD, which is released into the environment due to tire wear. A study published in Science of The Total Environment, led by the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) and the Chemical Institute of Sarrià (IQS), has detected adverse effects of one of its degradation compounds, 6PPD-quinone, on the zebrafish larvae nervous system. Zebrafish is a model organism widely used in biomedicine due to the similarity of its nervous system with that of human beings. After exposing the larvae to concentrations commonly found in the environment, their behaviour, circadian rhythms, and heart rate were altered. These effects compromised the viability and survival of these organisms.

“The environmental risk assessment criteria are less demanding than for human health. In the environment, a compound is considered toxic if it kills an organism, affects its population growth or if shows reproductive problems. In this study, we focused on the effects of 6PPD-quinone. Even if it’s sublethal under laboratory conditions, this compound might be lethal in nature”, explains Demetrio Raldúa, IDAEA researcher and main author of the study.

This degradation compound is used in pressure cookers, conveyor belts, hoses, and cables, and it is the cause of the death of Coho salmon, a phenomenon that has been studied for 20 years and which, according to the Science Journal, proved to be lethal for some salmonid species.

The researchers highlight the need to study more in-depth the neurotoxic effects that 6PPD-quinone produces in species that are believed to be tolerant and that could endanger these organisms.

Nota de prensa (ESP)
Nota de premsa (CAT)

Ricarte M., Prats E., Montemurro N., Bedrossiantz, J., Bellot, M., Gómez-Canela, C., Raldúa, D. 2023 Environmental concentrations of tire rubber-derived 6PPD-quinone alter CNS function in zebrafish larvae. Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165240