Context:
A comprehensive global study on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
About study:
- Aim – To monitor the status of 30 POPs listed under the Stockholm Convention as of 2021.
- Implemented by – UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Funded by – Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Key Findings:
- 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.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):
- They 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 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 –
- Linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility
- Increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease due to their endocrine disrupting properties.
Stockholm Convention:
- An international legally binding agreement on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
- 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.
- Global Environment Facility – Designated interim financial mechanism
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Database created by coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
(c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
(d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Answer: (a)
