A potentially hazardous chemical compound has been picked up in Oklahoma’s air, marking the first time medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) have been detected in North America.
University of Colorado Boulder researchers conducting atmospheric fieldwork in an agricultural region of Oklahoma have identified the first-ever airborne measurements of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Takeaways:
- Scientists found a chemical called MCCPs in Oklahoma’s air for the first time in North America.
- MCCPs are a man-made byproduct tied to industrial materials and manufacturing processes.
- Researchers say the levels aren’t an immediate health concern, but the discovery is still important.
- They’re still trying to figure out exactly where it’s coming from, with farm fertilizer being one possible source.
- More studies are needed to understand what this chemical means for the environment and long-term health.
Though the discovered quantity of the chemical compound is not at a level that merits immediate concern, the team of researchers says the unexpected finding could have implications for understanding toxic pollutants in the environment.
“These sorts of studies are important, even if there’s not an immediate health outcome,” Dr. Eleanor Browne from the University of Colorado said. “We need to understand the baseline and to understand overall what’s going on.”
According to the study behind the discovery, MCCPs are currently under consideration for regulation by the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty aimed at protecting human health from persistent chemicals. While the compounds have previously been measured in Antarctica and Asia, their presence in the Western Hemisphere’s atmosphere had not been documented until now.
How did MCCPs get to Oklahoma?
MCCPs are used in industrial applications such as metalworking fluids and in the production of PVC and textiles, but can commonly be found in wastewater and can accumulate in biosolid fertilizer, also known as sewage sludge, which is produced when liquid is removed from wastewater at treatment plants. The team of researchers says they believe this avenue of introduction into the ecosystem could be a likely source of the compounds detected in Oklahoma.
“When sewage sludges are spread across the fields, those toxic compounds could be released into the air,” Daniel Katz, CU Boulder chemistry PhD student and lead author of the study
said. “We can’t show directly that that’s happening, but we think it’s a reasonable way that they could be winding up in the air. Sewage sludge fertilizers have been shown to release similar compounds.”
Katz also noted that MCCPs share characteristics with PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly in the environment. Concerns over PFAS contamination have led Oklahoma lawmakers to ban biosolid fertilizer in certain applications.
The impact of MCCP on human health is still unclear, and more studies will be needed to locate the compound’s source and how to stop it.
FAQs
Where was it detected, and how widespread is it?
It was found in north-central Oklahoma during a targeted field study. So far, it’s a single documented detection in that region, and researchers don’t yet know how widespread it may be across the state or country.
What are the possible health effects of long-term exposure?
The health impacts of MCCPs aren’t fully understood yet. They’re considered potentially toxic and persistent in the environment, but scientists say more research is needed before drawing conclusions about long-term human exposure.
Could farming practices like biosolid fertilizer be a source?
Biosolid fertilizer (treated sewage sludge) can contain MCCPs, and when it’s spread on fields, those compounds may be released back into the air.
What happens next in the research?
Scientists plan to do more measurements across different seasons and locations to see how levels change.
