Chlorinated paraffin metabolism and its importance for understanding CP toxicity

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are industrial chemicals with broad use as plasticizers and components in paints, cutting and drilling oil additives. The research interest in CPs has recently increased, not least due to the progress in analytical techniques and the globally reported large production volumes of CPs. The adverse effects on CPs in biota and in man are being reported in an increasing number of articles and the mechanism of toxicity is being discussed. Whether the metabolism of CPs could increase their toxicity is, however, still an unsolved question. In this Perspective paper, CP metabolism is discussed and arguments pointing to the important role of metabolic enhancement in CP toxicity are highlighted.