REUTERS/Nathan Frandino/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 8 (Reuters) - U.S. commercial fishing groups on Wednesday sued 13 tire manufacturers in California, saying a chemical used in their tires is poisoning West Coast watersheds and killing rare trout and salmon.
The fishing groups said the chemical, which becomes toxic when it degrades, is released from tires as vehicles drive around and park.
The tire manufacturers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
In July, California's Department of Toxic Substances Control adopted a rule requiring tire manufacturers to evaluate safer alternatives to 6PPD, noting the threat to coho salmon.
Together, the 13 tire manufacturers sued on Wednesday account for 80% of the domestic U.S. tire market, according to the lawsuit.
Persons:
Nathan Frandino, Elizabeth Forsyth, Forsyth, Clark Mindock, Alexia Garamfalvi, Sandra Maler
Organizations:
REUTERS, Wednesday, Institute for Fisheries Resources, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, Bridgestone Corp, Goodyear Tire &, Michelin, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, California's Department, Toxic Substances, Thomson
Locations:
Lagunitas, Marin County , California, U.S, California, San Francisco federal, West