Chlorinated Paraffins in Indoor Dust Samples: A Review

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), which are also called polychloroalkanes, are chlorination products of n-alkane mixtures. They are classified according to their chain length as short chain (C10-C13), medium chain (C14-C17), and long chain (C20-C30) CPs. The degree of chlorination varies between 30 and over 70%. Considering China, India, U.S.A. and the European Union Countries the current production amount is estimated to be 900,000 t/a. CPs are extremely complex mixtures due to the possibility of the formation of numerous compounds during chlorination. CPs are widely used as flame retardants and additives in metal-working fluids, paints, and sealants as well as plasticizers in plastics. Although data regarding the occurrence of CPs in indoor dust samples are very limited, CPs were detected in the majority of the samples analyzed.