POPS PRODUCERS
Producers
of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP's)
Once
produced, POPs will find their way into the environment, even many years
after production may have ceased. There are 12 POPs on the initial list
for action under the UNEP POPs treaty currently under negotiation: aldrin,
chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, dioxin, endrin, furans, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene,
mirex, PCBs, and toxaphene. They fall into three categories: pesticides,
industrial chemicals, and unintended by-products of combustion and industrial
processes. POP sources include large emission sources, contaminated
sites and stockpiled materials, such as obsolete pesticides. For worldwide
examples and more information go to Toxic
Hotspots.