Persistent Organic Pollutants: An introduction

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of chemicals which persist in the environment, may bioaccumulate in human and animal tissues, and are toxic. They also have the potential to be transported long distances and be deposited far away from their place of release. They are controlled through a global treaty known as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants .

A number of pesticides have been designated as POPs and are banned from use in pesticides in the EC: List of banned and non-authorised pesticides in the United Kingdom

Responsibility for UK policy on POPs lies with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) [http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/chemicals/specific.htm]. CRD advises Defra on the implications of the Stockholm Convention for pesticides and on pesticides which may be proposed as candidates for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention.