Persistent Organic Pesticides /POPs

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), sometimes known as “forever chemicals” are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of their persistence, POPs bioaccumulate with potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

• Exposure to even low doses of certain POPs can lead to cancer, damage to central and peripheral nervous system diseases of the immune system, reproductive disorders, and interference with the normal infants and child development.

The Dirty dozen:

DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlore, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans.

Label Signal Words – (Toxicity to Humans)

a) DANGER* – Highly toxic

b) WARNING – Moderately toxic

c) CAUTION – Slightly toxic

d) *with POISON/skull/crossbones – high acute toxicity

e) Without Poison/skull/crossbones – high skin & eye irritation potential