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Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) in the air over Oklahoma. This marks the first time these toxic organic pollutants have been detected in the atmosphere of the Western Hemisphere.
The research team, initially focused on tracking particle formation, stumbled upon the MCCPs using advanced air monitoring equipment. Their findings, published in ACS Environmental Au, are raising concerns about the sources and potential health impacts of these chemicals.
“Finding something unexpected like this is very exciting as a scientist,” says Daniel Katz, lead author of the study. “We need to understand more about this toxic, organic pollutant that we now know is present.”
What are MCCPs and Why are They a Concern?
MCCPs are used in metalworking fluids, PVC production, and textile manufacturing. They often contaminate wastewater and can end up in biosolid fertilizer (sewage sludge) spread on agricultural fields. Researchers suspect this is how the MCCPs ended up in the air over Oklahoma.
“When sewage sludges are spread across the fields, those toxic compounds could be released into the air,” Katz explains. “We believe this is a likely pathway, as sewage sludge fertilizers have been shown to release similar compounds.”
MCCPs are currently under consideration for regulation by the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty focused on protecting human health from persistent pollutants. Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs), a related chemical, have already been regulated due to their harmful effects and ability to travel long distances in the atmosphere.
Unintended Consequences of Regulation
Ellie Browne, a chemistry professor and co-author of the study, points out a possible consequence of regulating SCCPs: “We always have these unintended consequences of regulation. When one substance is regulated, it may be replaced by something else.”
The Discovery: A Serendipitous Find
The team’s nitrate chemical ionization mass spectrometer allowed them to identify chemical compounds in the air. Reviewing the data, Katz identified unique isotopic patterns that led him to the chlorinated paraffins found in MCCPs.
Katz notes the similarity between MCCPs and PFAS “forever chemicals,” which have recently led to bans on biosolid fertilizers in some areas due to soil contamination.
What’s Next?
Now that MCCPs can be measured in the atmosphere, researchers plan to monitor levels throughout the year to understand seasonal variations and environmental impacts.
“We identified them, but we still don’t know exactly what they do when they are in the atmosphere,” Katz says. “It’s important that governmental agencies continue to evaluate the science and regulate these chemicals as necessary for public health and safety.”
Source: University of Colorado at Boulder
Reference: ACS Environmental Au, DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.5c00038
Atmospheric Science, Environment, Pollution, Public Health