Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in
the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing
adverse effects to human health and the environment. This group of priority
pollutants consists of pesticides (such as DDT), industrial chemicals (such as
polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs) and unintentional by-products of industrial
processes (such as dioxins and furans).
Persistent Organic Pollutants are transported across international boundaries
far from their sources, even to regions where they have never been used or
produced.
