At a glance
| Chemical family | Chlorinated paraffin (C10–C13) — flame retardant and plasticiser |
| CAS number | 85535-84-8 |
| Classification | IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); Stockholm Convention Annex A (elimination, 2017); EU POP Regulation; EU SVHC; Canada SOR/2025-270 prohibited |
| Where you encounter it | Flame retardant and plasticiser in rubber (mattress components, gaskets), leather, textile coatings, PVC, sealants, metalworking fluids, paints |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Detected in mattress materials, textile back-coatings, foam rubber components, and household dust. A significant but under-discussed source of chlorinated FR exposure in the bedroom |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | POP Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 — banned. SVHC (Candidate List). REACH Annex XVII Entry 42 restricts SCCPs in rubber and plastics. Maximum concentration limit of 1% SCCPs in substances or mixtures. Regulatory — European Union authority |
| United States | EPA issued a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) under TSCA for SCCPs. No outright ban, but new uses require EPA review. Not listed on California Proposition 65. Regulatory |
| Canada | Prohibited under the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 (SOR/2025-270), in force 30 June 2026 — manufacture, use, sale and import are banned. Regulatory — Canada authority |
| International | Stockholm Convention Annex A (elimination, 2017). IARC Group 2B. UNECE LRTAP Protocol on POPs. No exemptions remain for new production. Regulatory — International authority |
| Certifications | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 restricts chlorinated paraffins. AFIRM RSL restricts SCCPs in finished articles. ZDHC MRSL bans SCCPs in textile manufacturing. Industry |
What it is
Chlorinated paraffins are produced by chlorinating straight-chain alkanes (paraffin waxes). They are classified by carbon-chain length: short-chain (C10–C13, SCCPs), medium-chain (C14–C17, MCCPs), and long-chain (C18+, LCCPs). SCCPs are the most toxic and persistent of the group and were listed under the Stockholm Convention in 2017. They are viscous liquids at room temperature and serve as both flame retardants (through chlorine content) and plasticisers (through flexibility). IARC classifies SCCPs as Group 2B based on liver and thyroid tumour evidence in animals.
Where it shows up in bedding
SCCPs enter the bedroom through several routes. They have been used as flame retardants and plasticisers in rubber components (mattress foundations, anti-slip mats, gaskets), textile back-coatings (the rubbery backing on some mattress covers and upholstery), leather headboard coverings, and PVC-based products. SCCPs are also found in sealants and adhesives used in furniture assembly. Studies have detected SCCPs in household dust at concentrations comparable to brominated flame retardants (PBDEs), making dust ingestion and inhalation during sleep relevant exposure pathways. Unlike many brominated FRs that are bound into polymer matrices, SCCPs can migrate more readily from treated materials because they function as plasticisers — they are not chemically bonded to the material.
Citations
- IARC (2024). Chlorinated Paraffins. IARC Monographs. Source Peer-reviewed
- Stockholm Convention (2017). Listing of SCCPs — Annex A. Source Regulatory
- ECHA. Substance Information: Alkanes, C10-13, chloro. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Are SCCPs in my mattress?
Possibly, if the mattress contains rubber components (foundations, anti-slip pads), back-coated textiles, or PVC covers that were manufactured using SCCPs as flame retardants or plasticisers. SCCPs were widely used in these applications before bans took effect. Products manufactured in compliance with EU POP Regulations, OEKO-TEX, or ZDHC-compliant supply chains are tested for SCCPs.
What is the difference between SCCPs and MCCPs?
Both are chlorinated paraffins, but SCCPs (C10–C13 carbon chains) are more toxic, more persistent, and more bioaccumulative than MCCPs (C14–C17). SCCPs are banned under the Stockholm Convention and most regulatory frameworks. MCCPs are under increasing scrutiny — the EU has classified them as SVHCs and they are being evaluated for potential Stockholm Convention listing — but they are not yet globally banned. Some manufacturers have substituted SCCPs with MCCPs, which may shift rather than eliminate the problem.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-07. If you find a factual error, contact us.