The aim of the present research is to study the presence and environmental fate of short chain chlorinated alkanes (SCCPs), which is a new category of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in the urban environment. These compounds are widely used industrially as additives in the processing of metals, as plasticizers, in rubber, in paints and more, while their production has increased the last years. During their production and use they are released into the environment and distributed in the various environmental compartments. Research shows that SCCPs are toxic compounds and have long-term carcinogenic effects. In addition, SCCPs meet the criteria for their designation as POPs, for the possibility of causing adverse effects on organisms, their accumulation in them and their transport over long distances. As a result of this behavior SCCPs are detected in the atmosphere, aquatic environment and organisms, even in remote areas such as the Arctic and Antarctic. In addition, research shows that SCCPs are toxic compounds and have long-term carcinogenic effects. Their danger has led the EU to include them in priority water pollutants. Also, these compounds are characterized as harmful to the marine environment. Moreover, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies them as toxic compounds for aquatic organisms. The number of surveys on the levels and environmental fate of SCCPs in Europe is limited. As far as Greece is concerned, there is no evidence for these associations. In the context of this study, SCCPs will be identified in the atmosphere of Athens, in order to determine the environmental concentrations, to investigate the possible sources of pollution and to evaluate the exposure to these pollutants.
