back global monitoring index
back to chemicals index
back to factsheets index|
|
back global monitoring indexback to chemicals indexback to factsheets index |
 |
IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook Chlorinated Paraffins (CPs)Chemical Name: Polychlorinated alkanes (CxH(2x-y+2)Cly). They are manufactured by chlorination of liquid n-alkanes or paraffin wax and contain from 30 to 70% chlorine. The products are often divided in three groups depending on chain length: short chain (C10 – C13), medium (C14 – C17) and long (C18 – C30) chain lengths. CAS Number:108171-26-2 Properties: They are largely depending on the chlorine content. Solubility in water: 1.7 to 236 µg/L at 25°C; vapour pressure: mm Hg at 20°C; log KOW: in the range from 5.06 to 8.12. Discovery/Uses: The largest application is as a plasticiser, generally in conjunction with primary plasticisers such as certain phthalates in flexible PVC. The chlorinated paraffins also impart a number of technical benefits, of which the most significant is the enhancement of flame retardant properties and extreme pressure lubrication. Persistence/Fate: CPs may be released into the environment from improperly disposed metal-working fluids or polymers containing chlorinated paraffins. Loss of chlorinated paraffins by leaching from paints and coatings may also contribute to environmental contamination. Short chain CPs with less than 50 % chlorine content seem to be degraded under aerobic conditions. The medium and long chain products are degraded more slowly. CPs are bioaccumulated and both uptake and elimination are faster for the substances with low chlorine content. Toxicity: The acute toxicity of CPs in mammals is low with reported oral LD50 values ranging from 4 - 50 g/kg bw, although in repeated dose experiments, effects on the liver have been seen at doses of 10 – 100 mg/kg bw/day. Short-chain and mid-chain grades have been shown, in laboratory tests, to show toxic effects on fish and other forms of aquatic life after long-term exposure. The NOEL appears to be in the range of 2–5 µg/L for the most sensitive aquatic species tested. Source: UNEP Chemicals, Regional Reports of the Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances Program (2002) Available from: http://www.chem.unep.ch/pts UNEP Chemicals 11-13, chemin des Anemones CH-1219 Chatelaine, GE Switzerland. 
IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook - 2003 |
|