Persistent organic pollutants -- commonly known as "POPs" -- are a class of global chemical pollutants that are highly persistent, widely distributed in ecosystems and food chains around the world, and toxic to humans and wildlife. In 1998, the United Nations Environment Programme convened nearly 100 nations to begin negotiating a legally-binding global agreement to phase out and eliminate 12 POPs, including pesticides like DDT, industrial chemicals like PCBs, and unintended by-products of industry like dioxins. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on POPs is expected to finalize an agreement by the end of this year. Certain POPs, such as dioxins, are generated by the health care industry when medical products are manufactured and medical waste incinerated. This presentation will provide an overview of the known and suspected human health effects of POPs, the role of the health care community, and other issues surrounding the worldwide effort to eliminate POPs.
Learning Objectives: 1) Discuss the health effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). 2) Assess the need for global elimination of POPs. 3) Recognize the role of the health care community and public health professionals in achieving the elimination of certain POPs and other pollutants from health care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.