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Very short-chain chlorinated paraffins (vSCCPs, C 6–9) occurred in 94% of wildlife samples from the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China, with C n Cl m comparable to that of a local CP product, CP-52. Therefore, we determined the content of vSCCPs in CP-52 using a mathematical deconvolution technique. Then with CP-52 and several other reference standards, vSCCPs together with short-, medium-, and long-chain CPs were quantified in 21 wildlife species from an artificial wetland ecosystem and a freshwater ecosystem in the YRD. Concentrations of vSCCPs ranged from 2.6 to 8400 ng/g lipid. These concentrations were 1.2–380 fold lower than SCCPs, but were significantly correlated with those of SCCPs. vSCCP concentrations were comparable to or higher than reported for brominated flame retardants in the same samples. Bioaccumulation tendency of vSCCPs was identified in two benthic species, indicating congener-specific accumulation of vSCCPs in the environment. Unlabelled Image • CPs with chain lengths shorter than SCCPs are termed as vSCCPs. • vSCCPs were identified and quantified in CP commercial products. • vSCCPs were accumulated in 21 wildlife species from the Yangtze River Delta, China. • vSCCP concentrations in local wildlife were higher or comparable to those of BFRs. • Bioaccumulation tendency of vSCCPs was identified in two benthic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]