Review articleOccurrence, fate and ecological risk of chlorinated paraffins in Asia: A review

- Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are ubiquitous in various matrices throughout Asia.
- CPs are released during production, storage, transport, usage and disposal processes.
- CPs may pose risks to organisms and humans due to bioaccumulation/biomagnification.
- Humans are mainly exposed to CPs by inhalation, dust ingestion and food intake.
- Research gaps are discussed to highlight the perspectives of future studies.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), complex mixtures of polychlorinated alkanes, are widely used in various industries and are thus ubiquitous in the receiving environment. The present study comprehensively reviewed the occurrence, fate and ecological risk of CPs in various environmental matrices in Asia. Releases from the production and consumption of CPs or CP-containing materials, wastewater discharge and irrigation, sewage sludge application, long-range atmospheric transport and aerial deposition have been found to be most likely sources and transport mechanisms for the dispersion of CPs in various environmental matrices, such as air, water, sediment, soil and biota. CPs can be bioaccumulated in biota and biomagnified through food webs, likely causing toxic ecological effects in organisms and posing health risks to humans. Inhalation, dust ingestion and dietary intake are strongly suggested as the major routes of human exposure. Research gaps are discussed to highlight the perspectives of future research to improve future efforts regarding the analysis of CPs, the environmental occurrence and elimination of CPs, the total environmental pressure, and the risks to organisms and populations.

Geographic locations of studies of chlorinated paraffins in the present review.