6PPD and its formation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q) have gained recent attention since being attributed to the mortality of select fish species in North American streams.  6PPD is an anti-degradant added to tires to extent their useful life.  However, through the life of the tire, friction causes tire wear particles to be released into the environment, including into the atmosphere and roadways, where they enter bodies of water through surface runoff.  While the initial focus has been on impacts from roadways, attention is now turning to airports.  The U.S. EPA is developing a testing method for 6PPD-q, and regulations are anticipated in the near term, which could impact management of stormwater and other media at airports.  The implications to airports have yet to be fully explored.

The objective of this research is to prepare an ACRP First Look publication that focuses on defining the issue, describes how and why it affects airports, provides regulatory and legal context, frames how the airport industry should be thinking about the topic, and identifies possible next research steps.