Seven chlorocymenes and three chlorocymenenes were determined in disch
arges of two Finnish kraft pulp mills, and in samples of water, sedime
nt and pike (Esox lucius) in recipient and background watercourses in
1993. In addition, recipient fish samples in one of the mills caught i
n 1991 were analyzed. Study of unknown isomers of chlorinated cymenes
and cymenenes were included. Detected levels of chlorocymenes were les
s than 32 ng/L in effluents, less than 1 ng/L in water samples, less t
han 51 ng/g dry weight in sediments and less than 92 ng/g lipid weight
in fish samples. Only chlorocymenenes found were 2,3,6-trichloro-p-cy
menene in fish sample of 1991 (220 ng/g lipid weight) and another tric
hlorinated cymenene with unknown structure in a sample of pulp mill ef
fluent (31 ng/L). Discharged amounts and, consequently, environmental
levels of chlorocymenes and chlorocymenenes were significantly reduced
compared to earlier observations.