Some chemical pollutants reducing in humans and the environment, but new ones keep popping up

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The study was implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

It was conducted to monitor the status of 30 POPs listed under the Stockholm Convention as of 2021

Key Findings:

There is decline in use of 12 POPs due to the regulatory actions taken globally since 2004.
- Use of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), a synthetic insecticide has decreased in human milk samples by over 70% since 2004.
Replacement POPs due to their similar properties (e.g., per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected at high levels.

POPs are chemical substances (carbon based) that persist in the environment. They are pesticides, industrial chemicals, or unwanted by-products of industrial processes.
- They resist photolytic, biological and chemical degradation. E.g. Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, etc.
Key physical and chemical properties-
- Often halogenated and characterised by low water solubility
- Highly lipid soluble (this facilitates bio-accumulation in living organisms)
- Semi-Volatile in nature (enabling them to move long distances in the atmosphere before deposition occurs)
Impacts of POPs: POPs are linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease due to their endocrine disrupting properties.

An international legally binding agreement on PoPs.
Adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004.
India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006.
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had notified the ' Regulation of POP Rules, 2018 under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
GEF is the designated interim financial mechanism for the Convention.