Recent studies (>2010) reporting on environmental entry, fate & occurrence of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) were reviewed.
CPs are produced in high volumes (ca. 1000 kt yr−1) & are ubiquitously present in the environment, including remote areas.
Limited data suggest that MCCPs are being applied more frequently and have higher environmental levels than SCCPs.
SCCPs have a high bioaccumulation potential and are subject to long-range transport.
Studies that assess the bioaccumulation potential for longer chained CPs are needed.