{"id":162,"date":"2025-05-20T06:10:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/sciencechina\/?p=162"},"modified":"2025-05-20T06:10:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:10:47","slug":"tire-chemicals-found-to-cause-liver-damage-and-brain-toxicity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/sciencechina\/2025\/05\/20\/tire-chemicals-found-to-cause-liver-damage-and-brain-toxicity\/","title":{"rendered":"Tire Chemicals Found to Cause Liver Damage and Brain Toxicity"},"content":{"rendered":"

A common chemical used in tires and its breakdown product accumulate in different organs and disrupt vital metabolic processes, according to new research that raises concerns about their environmental impact. The study reveals that even at concentrations typically found in urban runoff, these compounds can cause significant liver damage and behavioral changes in fish over time.<\/p>\n

The research, published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology<\/a>, tracked how 6PPD (a rubber preservative found in virtually all tires) and its derivative 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) affect zebrafish during long-term exposure. Scientists discovered distinctly different patterns of accumulation and damage between the two compounds, with 6PPDQ proving more toxic despite lower concentrations in liver tissue.<\/p>\n

What happens when chemicals that protect our tires from wear eventually wash into streams and rivers? The implications extend beyond aquatic ecosystems, as these same compounds have been detected in various seafood species consumed by humans.<\/p>\n

Chemical Fingerprints in Different Organs<\/h2>\n

The study revealed a striking pattern of how these tire-derived chemicals distribute themselves in the body. The parent compound 6PPD preferentially accumulated in the liver and reproductive organs, while its breakdown product 6PPDQ concentrated primarily in the brain, where levels were over five times higher than those of 6PPD.<\/p>\n

This targeting of different organs helps explain the diverse toxic effects observed. The brain accumulation of 6PPDQ appears particularly concerning for neurological function, while both chemicals ultimately caused liver damage resembling early-stage fatty liver disease.<\/p>\n

“This study highlights the hidden threat posed by rubber-derived pollutants in urban runoff,” said Dr. Liangfu Wei, senior author of the study. “Our findings demonstrate that even low-level, long-term exposure to 6PPD and its oxidation product can severely disrupt liver metabolism and behavior in aquatic species. Notably, the transformation product 6PPDQ exhibits greater toxicity than its precursor, which has significant implications for regulatory monitoring and pollution control.”<\/p>\n

Key Findings About Tire Chemical Toxicity<\/h3>\n