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Study investigates what drivers would pay for 'salmon-safe' tires
Phys.org • • science
Key Points:
- A Washington State University-led study found that consumers might be willing to pay a 10% premium for vehicle tires labeled as "salmon safe," which avoid using the toxic chemical 6PPD harmful to coho salmon.
- The chemical 6PPD, used to prevent tire degradation, is lethal to coho salmon when tire debris contaminates freshwater streams, prompting tire manufacturers to seek safer alternatives.
- Surveying nearly 700 people in California, Oregon, and Washington, researchers discovered that half of respondents would pay about $76 more for a set of four salmon-safe tires, with 25% willing to pay up to $225 extra.
- The study highlights a potential market for eco-labeled tires but clarifies that the price premium is hypothetical and dependent on actual reformulation costs and industry competitiveness.
- Researchers plan to further investigate the economic impacts of removing 6PPD from tires and emphasize that this study does not serve as a basis for regulatory benefit-cost analyses.
