Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in salmon sold in southern Germany: Concentrations, homologue patterns and relation to other persistent organic pollutants

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are complex mixtures of persistent contaminants present throughout the aquatic food web. In this study 122 farmed and 11 wild salmon samples were collected over the course of four years (2014–2017). The ratio of short-chain CP and medium-chain CP and the corresponding homologue patterns were determined by means of gas chromatography (GC) with high resolution, accurate mass Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) technology. Characteristic patterns were observed, enabling differentiation between European and non-European (Chilean) samples. Concentration ranges of short-chain CPs (0.97–170 ng/g ww) and medium-chain CPs (1.1–79 ng/g ww) were similarly widespread over three orders of magnitude. Yet, both the mean and median concentrations of MCCPs were usually higher than those of the SCCP. CP levels were generally higher than those of marker polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs). An age- and gender-dependent estimated intake range of 4.6–35 ng/kg bw/week for short and medium-chain CPs via the consumption of salmon was calculated for adults in Germany. [Display omitted] •133 salmon samples (2014–2017, German market) were analysed on chloroparaffins (CPs).•CP homologue patterns showed clear differences between sample origins.•CP levels were higher than those of marker PCBs and HBCDDs.•SCCP and MCCP levels indicated shift towards MCCPs in Europe.•The weekly CP intake for German adults via salmon consumption was estimated.