Think Out Loud

Scientists have discovered a chemical from tires is killing coho salmon in the Puget Sound

By Celina Tebor (Portland, OR)
Dec. 7, 2020 9:38 p.m.

Broadcast: Tuesday, Dec. 8

Jenifer McIntyre, WSU researcher, scrutinizes juvenile coho salmon that had been exposed to stormwater in this 2012 file photo.

Jenifer McIntyre, WSU researcher and co-senior author of the study revealing a tire chemical is killing coho salmon in urban streams, scrutinizes juvenile coho that had been exposed to stormwater in this 2012 photo.

Katie Campbell, KCTS9 / EarthFix

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For decades, coho salmon that return to Puget Sound’s urban streams have been dying before they can spawn. Scientists haven’t been able to figure out why — until now. Just last week, researchers published an article revealing that a chemical from tires is largely responsible for the salmon deaths. We speak with Ed Kolodziej, a researcher from the study, about its findings.

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