Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical compounds that have adverse, long-term effects on people and the environment. Highly stable and resistant to environmental degradation, POPs can be carried great distances by wind and water. In some cases, POPs can remain in the environment for years, if not decades. The most well-known example of a POP is dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), they are found in a wide range of chemicals used in industrial and agricultural applications. In 2019, the European Union updated rules surrounding POPs to align with existing legislation more closely on chemicals, including the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. To comply with global legislation, in-scope companies may be required to eliminate the production, import and export of POPs in their operations.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment around the world. Many people are familiar with some of the most well-known POPs, such as PCBs, DDT, and dioxins