Analysis of Short-chained Chlorinated Paraffins: a Discussion Paper

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins are a class of organic compounds widely used in many industrial applications, extensively diffused into the environment, persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic towards aquatic organisms. However, their study and monitoring in the environment are still limited. Because of the enormous number of positional isomers that characterise their mixtures, the analysis of this class of polutants is very difficult to perform. Beside this, the lack of certified reference materials poses a problem for the assessment of the quality assurance/quality control of any analytical procedure. At present the scientific community does not agree on any analytical reference mehtod, although the monitoring of short-chain chlorinated paraffins has already started in order to comply with the Water Framework Directive of the European Union on water quality. In this paper the regulatory framework, in which chlorinated paraffins are included, and the status concerning thier determination are presented. Moreover, the main analytical difficulties still existing are discussed, and the definition of a method defined parameter and the development of a standardised method are suggested, as a way to overcome the problems in their analysis.

PELLIZZATO Francesca;  RICCI Marina;  HELD Andrea;  EMONS Hendrik; 

2007-09-07

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

JRC38018

1464-0325,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC38018,