S. 4325 — 6PPD Task Force Act

This section defines key terms used in the Act: (1) 6PPD as the chemical compound N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine; (2) 6PPD-Q as 6PPD-quinone; and (3) Task Force as the 6PPD Task Force established under section 4(a).

This section states congressional findings that (1) 6PPD, used in motor vehicle, military, and aircraft tires to enhance durability and safety, breaks down into 6PPD-Q, which is acutely toxic to coho salmon via stormwater runoff into waterways; (2) private-sector efforts are underway to develop alternatives that avoid 6PPD-Q formation and harm to wildlife or humans while prioritizing safety; and (3) replacing 6PPD implicates national security, supply chains, environmental and health concerns, and vehicle safety standards.

This section establishes the 6PPD Task Force (i.e., to address N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, a tire antidegradant whose degradation product, 6PPD-quinone, is toxic to coho salmon and potentially other species and human health), to be convened by the National Academy of Sciences pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of Transportation (in consultation with the EPA Administrator) not later than 60 days after enactment. The task force must (1) improve data sharing on 6PPD research and mitigation among federal agencies, research institutions, and state, Tribal, and local governments; (2) identify federal funding for studying 6PPD impacts and developing alternatives; (3) recommend expedited testing and market adoption of safer alternatives; (4) share best practices for mitigation (e.g., street sweeping, stormwater treatment); (5) research non-tire 6PPD exposure pathways (e.g., tire reuse in turf, playgrounds, reefs); and (6) maintain a public online repository of resources accessible to Tribes, governments, industry, academia, and the public. Membership includes designees from the Departments of Transportation and Agriculture, EPA, USGS, FWS, NOAA, NIH, and CDC; at least four western U.S. Tribal representatives; at least four private-sector representatives (two each from tire manufacturing and chemical additive industries); at least one environmental representative; at least two state agency experts on 6PPD mitigation; and at least one university researcher on 6PPD toxicology—all non-federal members appointed by the National Academy of Sciences. The DOT and EPA designees serve as co-chairs, with meetings held at least three times annually; the Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply. Not later than 180 days after enactment, and annually thereafter, the task force must submit to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce—and make publicly available—a report on its findings, recommendations, and consulted stakeholders.