May 23, 2001: New Convention To Ban Toxic Chemicals Marks Turning Point For Dirty Industry

April - May 2001:
MV Greenpeace tours the Baltic Sea region in the build up to the Treaty signing in May.


The signing of a global Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) treaty was completed in Stockholm, Sweden, May 23, 2001. Under the auspices of the UN over 91 countries signed a global treaty for the elimination of POPs starting with the twelve worst known as the 'dirty dozen'.

POPs are a group of chemicals that are difficult to breakdown naturally. Once released into the environment, many POPs persist for years, even decades. Many POPs are also highly toxic and build up (bioaccumulate) in human and animal's fatty tissues such as body lipids and organs. POPs end up in the food chain; food is the main route for human exposure.