Research advances on the environmental distribution, biotoxicity and alternative strategies of emerging pollutant 6PPD-quinone

6PPD-quinone is an ozone-induced transformation product from a globally ubiquitous tire rubber antioxidant 6PPD. It has been detected in various environmental media, including water, atmosphere, soils, and sediments. Numerous studies have shown that 6PPD-quinone is significantly toxic to aquatic organisms, particularly sensitive to coho salmon, where its concentration in urban runoff is sufficient to cause acute mortality. In addition, 6PPD-quinone has entered the human body, thus the impact of its environmental fate on human health cannot be ignored. Herein, this paper reviews the discovery history, environmental distribution and transport mechanisms of 6PPD-quinone, and summarizes the biotoxicity of this emerging contaminant to aquatic and terrestrial organisms and mammals. Based on its pollution status and regulations and policies, we discuss the application of green chemistry in the development of alternatives to 6PPD, including the progress of research on natural antioxidants and new modified rubbers additives, with the aim to explore the possibility for minimizing the environmental, ecological, and human health impacts of its quinone transformation products.