The Next ‘Forever Chemical’ May Already Be in the Air. Scientists Still Don’t Understand What It Could Do.
By Darren Orf
Published on April 23, 2026.
Scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder have found medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), which are often found in textiles and PVC products and can take a long time to breakdown in the environment and negatively impact human health. MCCPs have been detected in the North American air for the first time, likely through biosolids, a fertilizer developed from treated wastewater. This discovery was made during a research study on aerosol formation in an agricultural region of Oklahoma. The team of scientists used nitrate ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry to detect trace amounts of MCCP in the atmosphere. They hope to further investigate their airborne impact. The creation of this synthetic chemical was due to the regulation of its toxic cousin, Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins.
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