Panel Discussion: Tires, Toxins, and Waterways: Understanding the Impact of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone on Our Environment

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT

The use of 6PPD (N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) as an antioxidant in tires plays a critical role in enhancing tire durability and performance. However, environmental exposure leads to its transformation into 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), a breakdown product with significant ecological implications. Recent studies reveal that 6PPDQ poses severe toxic risks to aquatic ecosystems, with documented cases of fish mortality and potential human health concerns through water contamination. This webinar will explore key case studies of affected water bodies, highlighting the environmental and regulatory challenges associated with 6PPD and 6PPDQ. Participants will gain insights into the evolving policy landscape aimed at mitigating these risks, as well as alternative chemicals and technical innovations designed to reduce environmental impacts. Tailored for environmental professionals, policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders, this webinar offers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding 6PPD use and the path toward more sustainable tire manufacturing practices.

PROJECT ABSTRACT

Join us for an in-depth exploration of one of the most pressing environmental threats linked to vehicle tires: the use of 6PPD and its highly toxic breakdown product, 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ). This informative webinar will cover the science behind 6PPD, its role in preventing tire degradation, and the environmental hazards posed by 6PPDQ, which has been found to be toxic to aquatic life and potentially harmful to human health. Participants will learn about the sources of 6PPDQ contamination, how it is transported into U.S. waterbodies through stormwater runoff, and the widespread geographical impact it has on rivers, lakes, and ecosystems, particularly in urban areas. The session will highlight the challenges posed by 6PPD and related chemicals in regulatory and legal contexts, as well as the urgent need for alternative solutions.

BIOGRAPHIES

Dominique Lueckenhoff, Executive Vice-President for Corporate Affairs, EHS & Sustainability, Hugo Neu. Ms. Lueckenhoff Reports to the President & CEO, with leadership & oversight responsibilities for corporate sustainability, environmental policy, public/community affairs, green business growth & investment opportunities, & overall social, environmental & economic well-being activities on a global basis. Ms. Lueckenhoff also serves as Chair of the Community-based Public Private Partnerships (CBP3) Center of Excellence under the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance & serves on the Board of Advisors for the Stevens Institute of Technology’s Schaefer School of Engineering & Sciences (SES). Additionally, she serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for the Cousteau Oceans non-profit - Earth Echo International & as a Senior Fellow with the US Water Alliance. Prior to holding these positions, Ms. Lueckenhoff served as Senior Advisor to the USEPA Region 3 Administrator – on Public-Private Partnerships, Technologies & Market-Based Solutions, developing, leading, & coordinating strategies & initiatives related to innovative Public Private Partnerships (P3s), next-generation technologies & alternative market-based approaches to achieving “faster, cheaper, greener” environmental improvements, holistic watershed protection & community resiliency. She developed & led the nationally recognized Mid-Atlantic community-based P3 model & applications, delivering large-scale integrated water infrastructure solutions. Dominique has over 25 years of multi-programmatic (air, water, land) environmental experience & award-winning program development/management with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) across multiple geographic regions & Headquarters.

Seth Brown has over 25 years of experience in the water sector. He was the Director of Stormwater Programs at the Water Environment Federation from 2010-2015 and is currently the Executive Director of the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, which is a 501.c.3 representing stormwater-focused organizations in 26 states across 9 of the 10 U.S. EPA regions with a network that is comprised of over 4,400 MS4s. Seth is also the Principal and Founder of Storm and Stream Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm providing a range of services from policy and alternative project delivery analysis in the stormwater sector to facilitation and training services focused on stormwater topics.

Seth has a Ph.D. in civil engineering from George Mason University with a research focus on socio-economic modeling of incentive-based investments of green stormwater infrastructure on private properties. He leads courses in Green Infrastructure and Innovative Water Partnerships at Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland at Eastern Shore and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Maryland.

Chelsea McDonald is the Clean Water Defense Campaign Manager and joined the team in 2024. Chelsea works with a wide range of stakeholders to defend and enforce clean water laws, standards, and permits, and fight against the ever-growing threats to clean and safe water. Growing up in a small town in Colorado, Chelsea learned from an early age not only the value of water as a resource but also its role as a foundational part of communities. Prior to joining Waterkeeper Alliance, Chelsea worked at the Department of Justice in the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and as a staffer in the United States Senate. In 2023, she received her J.D. from Georgetown Law, as a graduate of their evening program. She received her B.A. from Lake Forest College in Political Philosophy, Sociology, and Anthropology.

Zoom Link:

https://stevens.zoom.us/j/95230825698

Website:

https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series

Jointly Sponsored by:

HUGO NEU Corporation
Geosyntec Consultants
WSP
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Catalyst Group
Lozier Inc.
Dewberry

Contact:

Dr. Dibs Sarkar