Jun 18, 2025
In a landmark study, scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder have, for the first time, detected Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs)—a class of toxic organic pollutants—in the atmosphere over the Western Hemisphere. This discovery, published in ACS Environmental Au, was made during a field study in rural Oklahoma aimed at examining aerosol particle formation. While analyzing air samples around the clock for a month using a specialized nitrate chemical ionization mass spectrometer, Ph.D. student Daniel Katz and his team identified unusual isotopic patterns that were ultimately confirmed as MCCPs. Previously found in regions like Asia and Antarctica, the detection of MCCPs in North America suggests that these pollutants may be far more prevalent than previously assumed, raising concerns about their environmental and health impacts.
The team believes that MCCPs may be entering the atmosphere through the use of biosolid fertilizers—treated sewage sludge commonly spread on agricultural fields. These fertilizers often contain trace contaminants from wastewater, including MCCPs, which are used in industries such as metalworking, PVC production, and textiles. As these fertilizers are applied to farmland, the pollutants may evaporate and become airborne, potentially traveling long distances due to their chemical persistence. While direct causality hasn’t been proven, the hypothesis aligns with the known presence of MCCPs in wastewater and highlights the urgent need for further research into the sources, transport, and regulation of these pollutants.
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SOURCE: SciTechDaily