View source for 116. Chemical hazards: Industrial and agricultural toxicology of organic compounds

* POP = persistent organic pollutant
** = Organic compounds which are resistant to environmental degradation
*** Most are chlorinated
** Initially contained 12 compounds, nowadays more
*** Originally called the “dirty dozen”
*** DDT, PCBs, aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene, dioxins, furans
*** Many POPs are pesticides, solvents, drugs, and industrial chemicals
*** DDT is used against malaria mosquitoes
** Share 4 characteristics
*** Very toxic
*** Persistent in the environment (decay very slowly)
*** Lipophilic (accumulate in fat)
*** Can evaporate and travel long distances
** These compounds accumulate in the environment and have adverse effects on health and the environment
*** These compounds accumulate through the food chain and eventually end up in our diet
** Humans are mostly exposed through diet or occupation
** Health consequences
*** Endocrine dysfunction
*** Reproductive system dysfunction
*** Carcinogenesis
** 2001 Stockholm convention called for eliminating their production and use

[[Category:Public health 6 - Occupational hygiene and occupational medicine]]