Chlorinated Paraffins

Abstract

Chlorinated paraffins or polychlorinated n-alkanes (PCAs) consist of C 10 to C 30 n-alkanes with chlorine content from 30 to 70% by mass. PCAs are used as high temperature lubricants, plasticizers, flame retardants, and additives in adhesives, paints, rubber, and sealants. This chapter reviews the existing data on the production, uses, reactions, methods of quantitative analysis, and levels of PCAs, and includes an assessment of environmental distribution using a steady state non-equilibrium fugacity-based chemical fate models. Short chain PCAs (C 10 to C 13 with 60-70% chlorine) have similar molecular weight and physical properties (octanolwater partition coefficient, water solubility, vapor pressure) to many persistent organochlorines such as PCBs and toxaphene. Medium chain (C 14 to C 17 ) and long chain (C 18 to C 30 ) PCAs are extremely hydrophobic and nonvolatile and likely to be associated with particles in aquatic systems. The limited biodegradation data suggests that PCAs are less persistent in water, sediments, or biota than other organochlorines. To date there is limited information on the distribution and fate of PCAs in the environment. There have been recent advances in the analysis of C 10 to C 13 PCAs using high resolution negative ion mass spectrometry. Interlab comparisons have shown that both high resolution and low resolution negative ion mass spectrometry can be employed to determine PCAs in environmental samples, although agreement between laboratories is poor compared with the determination quantitation of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. There are indications that PCAs are widespread environmental contaminants at ng/l levels in surface waters and ng/g (wet weight) levels in biota. However, environmental measurements of PCAs are very limited at the present time in the USA and Canada and are only slightly more detailed in western Europe. Application of the Equilibrium Criterion Model, Level III (steady state, nonequilibrium) to representative short (C 12 H 20 Cl 6 ) and medium chain PCAs, (C 16 H 24 Cl 10 ) using the best available physical-chemical property data and estimated degradation rates, showed that that medium chain compound C 16 H 24 Cl 10 would achieve higher concentrations in sediment and soil than the short chain C 12 H 20 Cl 6 because of slower degradation rates and lower water solubility. Volatilization from water to air of both compounds was predicted by the model suggesting the possibility of long range transport via atmosphere and oceans. The environmental residence time of C 16 H 24 Cl 10 is estimated to be 350 days compared to 170 days for C 12 H 20 Cl 6 . Future studies will require better analytical methods and reference materials certified for PCA content. Additional data is needed to evaluate exposure to PCAs in the environment, particularly in light of their continued production and usage around the globe. Keywords. Chlorinated paraffins, Polychlorinated n-alkanes, IntroductionAs their name implies, chlorinated paraffins are chlorinated derivatives of paraffinic...

A broad cocktail of environmental pollutants found in eggs of three seabird species from remote colonies in Norway

“…On average, sum concentrations of chlorinated paraffins were found to be higher in eggs from common eiders compared with eggs from other bird species investigated (Table ), which may be related to differences in feeding behavior (common eiders are primarily benthic feeders). Chlorinated paraffins will accumulate within the sediment compartment as they partition strongly to organic matter . This will cause increased exposure and accumulation to benthic‐dwelling organisms and result in increased exposure to benthic‐feeding predators.…”

Human Exposure to Chlorinated Paraffins via Inhalation and Dust Ingestion in a Norwegian Cohort

“… 26 Exposure assessment using paired air and dust can be particularly important for chlorinated paraffins (CPs), which represent a large family of potential hazardous SVOCs with a wide range of volatilities. 27 …”

Medium‐chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs): A review of bioaccumulation potential in the aquatic environment

“…Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) also known as polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs) are high molecular weight organochlorine compounds that have been used for many years in a variety of industrial applications, including use as high temperature lubricants, plasticizers, flame retardants, and additives in adhesives, paints, rubber, and sealants. The first large scale use of CPs is reported as lubricant additives in 1932 and usage increased steadily through to the 1990s (Muir et al ).…”