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A graphical guide on Persistent Organic Pollutants and how to cut ties with them
are organic chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods. They can spread widely through air, water, and soil, accumulate in organisms, and are toxic to both humans and the environment. They are our "Worst Friends Forever" (WFF).
Scientists and governments have joined forces under the Stockholm Convention to track these pollutants and protect human health and the environment from their harmful effects.
POPs pose a significant risk to human health. They can lead to reproductive disorders, immune problems, birth defects and an increased risk of cancer.
Once released into the environment, POPs are widely distributed by air, water, and soil. They have been found in remote locations such as the Arctic, on mountains, and even in the profound depths of ocean trenches.
POPs concentrate in living organisms, particularly in species higher up in the food chain, such as fish, predatory birds and mammals. In a 2016-2019 human exposure study from UNEP and WHO, human milk samples were collected across 43 countries. POPs were detected in all the samples.
In the search for specific product features, new chemicals that might exhibit persistent characteristics are constantly being developed. The Stockholm Convention, established in 2004 to protect human health and the environment from these toxic chemicals, initially regulated 12 POPs. Over the years, this number has grown to 34, with three more POPs currently under review. The 186 Parties to the Convention commit to not produce or use the chemicals listed in its annexes.
Certain POPs have lifespans that can extend into decades and even millennia, earning them the unsettling nickname of "forever chemicals". But together we can stop them!
POPs were found in more than 900 samples of air, water, soil, beef, milk, butter, pork, chicken, eggs, fish, shellfish, oil, bananas, sugar and honey, in a 2016-2023 study from UNEP.
• Using the latest science, develop and enforce strict regulations on the production, use and disposal of POPs.
• Foster international cooperation on POPs and adhere to global agreements, like the Stockholm Convention.
• Conduct studies and monitoring programmes to assess levels, sources and impacts of POPs and effectiveness of action.
• Provide scientific evidence to support policy decisions and regulatory actions.
• Be aware of the common routes of exposure to POPs in daily surroundings and take precautionary actions.
• Choose POPs-free products that use greener alternatives and minimize waste to help reduce the release of POPs.
• Recycle responsibly and support circular economy initiatives.
• Learn more about Pesticides POPs, Industrial POPs and Unintentional POPs.
• Use Green and Sustainable Chemistry principles to develop safer alternatives to POPs in manufacturing processes and products
• Regularly monitor emissions and pollution sources to prevent unintentional releases.
• Promote sustainable practices, such as substituting products containing POPs with safer alternatives, reducing waste, and ensuring the proper storage and handling of materials containing POPs.
• Advocate for responsible value chains by engaging with suppliers committed to eliminating the use of POPs.
