An Insight

Persistent Organic Pollutants or POP's are a chemical substance that persists in the environment,bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment.


"Chemicals now categorised as POP's were black- listed in all Western nations at least a decade ago. In Asia a combination of factors has resulted in the continued production, trade, use and release into the environment of most these chemicals"


POP chemicals are considered among the most dangerous of life threatening substances created by humans. All well know POP's are chlorinated compounds, these include: pesticides such as DDT, Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene; industrial chemicals such as poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCB's); and unwanted industrial by-products dioxins and furans.


POP's build up through the food chain and can reach concentrations in wildlife and humans thousands of time higher in the surrounding AIR, WATER and SOIL. In most countries Corporations lack accountability in this area, the principal of polluter-pays were "unheard of concepts".

The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) says the appropiate goal for an international treaty on POPs is the establishment of a systematic and sustained program of action, in which all countries participate to eliminate POPs and their significant sources.


It must not be defined as the better management of risks associated with POPs that's needed, they are a current source of significant injury to the biosphere-to humans and wildlife and to the entire ecosystem around the world.

For more on POP's see National Toxics Network