Enhanced Research Needed on the Structural Analogues of Chlorinated Paraffins as Emerging Contaminants of Concern

INTRODUCTION Structural analogues of chlorinated paraffins(CPs)are compounds that contain the chlorinated n-alkanes skeleton of CPs and other functional groups.Recently,some structural analogues of CPs at high levels were detected in the environment and general population.1−5 The atmospheric concentrations of unsaturated short,medium,and long chain chlorinated olefins(COs)were 0.01−0.27,0.02−0.56,and 0.01−0.55 ng/m3 in China.1 Over 700 brominated-chlorinated paraffin and brominated-chlorinated olefin congeners(BCPs and BCOs)were found in different matrices in Australia.Semiquantitative concentrations of BCPs and BCOs in dust samples(median concentrations of 5.4 and 0.18μg/g,respectively)are comparable to CPs,and 1−2 orders of magnitude higher than those in the atmosphere and sediments at some sites.