The Stockholm Convention has targeted the most persistent and toxic chemicals created; refered to as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).  Some of these chemicals were used as pesticides, some used in electrical transformers and hydraulic equipment and some as by-products of industrial processes.

 The Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty to
protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by
restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage.

Importance of Stockholm Convention
POPs are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.  They are found in
pesticides, paint additives, heat exchange fluids, transformers, sealants and plastics.
Some are also released as unintended by-products of combustion and industrial processes.

Exposure to POPs can result in its gradual accumulation in the fatty tissues and cause cancer
and birth defects.  It can also disrupt immune and reproductive systems and even diminish
intelligence.

 The Stockholm Convention protects people and the environment from POPs by:
Elilminating production and use
Restricting production and use
Reducing unintentional production with the aim of elimination
Ensuring wastes containing POPs are managed safely and in an environmentally sound manner
Targeting additional POPs

The first 12 POPs
The Stockholm Convent initially targeted 12 of the most persistent and toxic chemicals ever
created.  These include nine pesticides:
Aldrin
Chlordane
DDT
Dieldrin
Endrin
Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
Mirex
Toxaphene

Two industrial chemicals
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Hexachlorobenzene

The unintentional by-products of Dioxins and Furans have been added to the list.  These compounds result from combustion and industrial processes but have no commercial use.  These chemicals are among the most potent cancer causing chemicals.

[Author: At A Glance Pamphlet of the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention UNEP]