The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from harmful chemicals:
- What it does The convention aims to:
- Eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs
- Minimize and eliminate the release of POPs
- Manage and dispose of POPs in a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound manner
- What it regulates The convention regulates 29 POPs, which are:
- Toxic
- Stable and resistant to natural breakdown
- Can be transported over long distances through the atmosphere and oceans
- How it works POPs can accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife. They can be found in people and animals living in regions thousands of kilometers from any major POPs source.
- When it was adopted and went into effect The convention was signed on May 22, 2001 in Stockholm and entered into force on May 17, 2004. India ratified the convention on January 13, 2006.
- Effects of POPs POPs have been linked to:
- Cancer
- Damage to the nervous system
- Reproductive disorders
- Weakening of the immune system
- Allergies and hypersensitivity