Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are complex mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes. The chlorination degree of CPs can vary between 30 and 70 wt%. CPs are subdivided according to their carbon chain length into short chain CPs (SCCPs, C10–13), medium chain CPs (MCCPs, C14–17) and long chain CPs (LCCPs, C>17). Depending on chain length and chlorine content

SCCPs are primarily used in metalworking applications and in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) processing. SCCPs are also used as plasticizers and flame retardants in a variety of applications, including in paints, adhesives and sealants, leather fat liquors, plastics, rubber, textiles and polymeric materials. SCCPs are sufficiently persistent in air for long range transport to occur and appear to be hydrolytically stable. Many SCCPs can accumulate in biota. It is concluded that SCCPs are likely, as a result of their long range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse environmental and human health effects.

SCCP’s have now been listed as a POP under the Stockholm Convention and under the European Water Framework Directive an Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) has been set at 1.4ug/L in water. RPS can test for SCCPs in surface water and waste water in line with the required WFD EQS of 1.4ug/L