The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, and accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife. Exposure to POPs can lead to serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease, and even diminished intelligence.
Given long range transport mechanisms, no one goverment acting alone can protect is citizens or its environment from POPs. In response, the Stockholm Convention, which was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, requires signatories to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. The Convention is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and based in Geneva, Switzerland.
For more information:
- visit the Stockholm Convention Secretariat website
- read the text of the convention (PDF file)
Next: POP Substance Profiles
