Persistent Organic Pollutants

During a November 2004 meeting of the Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances in Heredia, Costa Rica, discussions occurred and concerns were raised regarding pesticide chemicals which may be considered as potential persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Specific pesticides under discussion included paraquat, chlorothalonil, triazines, endosulfan and chlorpyrifos.

Dow AgroSciences is very serious about the program being undertaken in support of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to further research and regulate the introduction of POPs into the environment. As the primary manufacturer of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, Dow AgroSciences provided data and comments on the criteria for POPs listing under the Stockholm Convention and how these relate specifically to the characteristics of chlorpyrifos.

What is a persistent organic pollutant?
During 2002, the United Nations affiliated Inter-Organization Program for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) issued a report titled Reducing and Eliminating the Use of Persistent Organic Pesticide: Guidance on Alternative Strategies for Sustainable Pest and Vector Management. The report identified POPs as chemicals that:

  • are extremely stable and persistent in the environment,
  • bio-accumulate in organisms and food chains,
  • are toxic to humans and animals and have chronic effects such as disruption of reproductive, immune and endocrine systems, as well as being carcinogenic, and
  • are transported in the environment over long distances to places far from the points of release.

The report further indicated that nine pesticides (aldrin, toxaphene, DDT, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, HCB, heptachlor, mirex) are currently included in the initial list of POPs for action under the Stockholm Convention.