6PPD-Quinone

Eurofins Environment Testing Northern California in Sacramento, CA, the pioneer in developing the first commercially available analysis for the emerging contaminant 6PPD-quinone, is pleased to announce the publication of Draft Method EPA 1634 in conjunction with EPA Region 10 and the Office of Water. This new 1600 series method is based on the analytical approach developed at Eurofins Environment Testing Northern California in West Sacramento. EPA 1634 achieves a reporting limit or 2ng/L (ppt) in a variety of aqueous matrices with a focus on the stormwater, a truly challenging matrix for many methods. Confident quantitation of 6PPD-quinone in stormwater is critical to assess and address 6PPD-Q concentrations derived from roadways flowing into streams and rivers.  

It was the landmark publication in December 2020 in Science led by the University of Washington that paved the way for developing draft method 1634. This research uncovered that juvenile Coho salmon exposed to a single compound, 6PPD-quinone, was responsible for urban runoff mortality syndrome (URMS). This mortality occurs at relatively low concentrations with an LC50 estimate at around 100ng/L (ppt). Since this publication, other manuscripts have indicated that rainbow trout are also susceptible to 6PPD-quinone, although thankfully not as acutely as Coho salmon.

Eurofins Environment Testing is proud to partner with EPA in the delivery of Draft Method 1634. Characterizing aqueous concentrations of 6PPD-quinone is key to delineating this emerging contaminant. Eurofins Environment Testing is concurrently supporting analysis of 6PPD-quinone in solids/sediments, recycled tire products and select consumer goods in addition to all aqueous matrices.