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Persistent Organic Pollutants are organic (carbon-based) compounds that include synthesized substances (pesticides and PCBs). Other substances are by-products generated as a result of human and natural activity, of which human activity accounts for the major proportion of releases (dioxins and furans). Extensive scientific studies have shown that POPs are some of the most dangerous pollutants released into the environment by humans. Persistent organic pollutants have four key characteristics in common:
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Persistent organic pollutants are TOXIC, causing adverse health effects, such as birth defects, damage to immune and respiratory systems, and critical organs. |
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POPs are ENVIRONMENTALLY PERSISTENT. They resist breakdown by natural processes, and, in some cases, remain in the environment for decades. |
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POPs resist breakdown in water but they are soluble in fatty tissue, which makes them bioavailable to mammals. They bioaccumulate exponentially up the food chain. In addition, these substances bioconcentrate under typical environmental conditions. Bioconcentration is the process by which animals absorb high concentrations of POPs directly from their environment, rather than from a combination of eating other animals and environmental exposure. |
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POPs are semi-volatile and thus are capable of TRAVELLING GREAT DISTANCES through cycles of evaporation and atmospheric cycling and deposition (referred to as the "grasshopper effect"). |
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| The Dirty Dozen and Stockholm Convention |
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| The treaty was signed on May 23, 2001 by more than 100 nations. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants focuses on reducing and eliminating releases of 12 POPs (coined the "Dirty Dozen" by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)). These 12 chemicals include eight pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, and toxaphene); two industrial chemicals (polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene); and two unintended by-products, dioxins and furans. France was the 50th nation to ratify the Stockholm Convention. The treaty will officially "come into force" on May 17, 2004, 90 days following the 50th ratification. The first meeting of the parties to the Convention will be held within a year of that date. Countries that ratify the treaty before this first meeting in early 2005 will be eligible to participate in crucial implementation discussions as well as the scientific review committee that considers the addition of new POPs chemicals to the elimination list. |
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