Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals of global concern due to their potential for long-range transport, persistence in the environment, ability to bio-magnify and bio-accumulate in ecosystems, as well as their significant negative effects on human health and the environment. 

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of chemicals in which ​multiple fluorine atoms are attached to an alkyl chain within a molecule​. If all possible sites of an alkyl chain are occupied by fluorine atoms, the substance may also be referred to as a perfluoroalkyl substance as in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). (WHO, 2023).

Dioxins and dioxin-like substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are ​​​​persistent organic pollutants (POPs, see CH0​500​) and are unwanted by-products of combustion and various industrial processes, such as chlorine bleaching of paper pulp and smelting. They can travel long distances from the source of emission, and bioaccumulate in food chains. These substances represent a major public health concern.

Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimetres in length which can be harmful to the environment, especially marine life. They originate from a variety of sources, including larger plastic debris that degrade into progressively smaller pieces (adapted from UNEP, 2016 and NOAA, 2023). 

Pesticide means any substance, or mixture of substances of chemical or biological ingredients intended for repelling, destroying or controlling any pest, or regulating plant growth.