Women of Childbearing Age
For pregnant women and women of childbearing age, exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) has been proven to cause adverse effects on the mother’s health,
Stop the POPs!
Say no to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), sometimes known as “forever chemicals” are a group of toxic chemicals that can survive for long periods of time in the environment. They can be found in households, workplaces, agricultural products and even the very food we eat. It’s time to protect yourself and “Stop the POPs” today!
Say no to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), sometimes known as “forever chemicals” are a group of toxic chemicals that can survive for long periods of time in the environment. They can be found in households, workplaces, agricultural products and even the very food we eat. It’s time to protect yourself and “Stop the POPs” today!
The truth is, danger lurks
where
you least expect it.
Understand the Dangers of POPs!
Identify
The sources and uses of POPs/UPOPs.
Learn
How you and your family are exposed and affected.
Act
By minimising your exposure.
POPs are all around us!
They can affect your health and long-term wellness
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a group of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to human life, animals, and the environment. They can turn short-lived aches and pains into permanent damage that affects the liver, thyroid and important neurological functions.
They can be found in households, consumer products, waste disposal sites, soil, and in the very food we eat. Exposure even at low levels can lead to increased cancer risk, reproductive disorders, alteration of the immune system, neurobehavioral impairment, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity and increased birth defects.
POPs are all around us!
They can affect your health and long-term wellness
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a group of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to human life, animals, and the environment. They can turn short-lived aches and pains into permanent damage that affects the liver, thyroid and important neurological functions.
They can be found in households, consumer products, waste disposal sites, soil, and in the very food we eat. Exposure even at low levels can lead to increased cancer risk, reproductive disorders, alteration of the immune system, neurobehavioral impairment, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity and increased birth defects.
The four main characteristics
of POPs are:
Persistent
POPs chemicals can last for an astonishing extended period of time, as they are difficult to destroy and are resistant to degradation.
Toxicity
POPs can result in a wide range of environmental and human health issues due to their toxicity. Prolonged or concentrated exposure can affect plants, humans and animals.
Bioaccumulation
POPs are lipophilic (fat-loving). Therefore, over time, the chemicals tend to accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans. Some also accumulate in the liver and kidneys.
Long-range Dispersion:
Once POPs are released into the atmosphere, they can spread over far distances across the air, land and sea.
The POPs Animations
Welcome to the world of POPs.
Join a host of colourful characters as they go about their daily lives and highlight their interactions with POPs. These animations are perfect as an introduction to the world of Persistent Organic Pollutants, and we encourage you to watch, share, and learn!
Play Video
Devon & Keisha learns about POPs
Join Devon and Kesha as they share what they know about POPs and give you a overview of these dangerous pollutants.
Play Video
Farmer Ricky's: Pesticide Predicament
Journey with farmer Ricky and his family as they embark on a POPs Pesticides adventure.
Play Video
Keith and Martin: The ABCs of POPs
Keith and Martin are up to it again, but Adita is here to give these guys some education. Join this lovable crew as they learn the ABCs of POPs.
Play Video
Patsy and Joe: Don't burn to learn!
Patsy learns an invaluable lesson in burning and what this means for her unborn baby, friends, and loved ones.
POPs: They're Everywhere!
Understand how you are being affected.
Many products used in our daily lives may contain POPs, and as a result, these pollutants can be found everywhere. It’s important to be aware of how POPs can affect you and your loved ones!
Farmers
Whether you are on a farm spraying your crops or at the grocery store shopping for produce, you may be in contact with Highly Hazardous
Construction & Demolition
Typical workplaces are full of items that may be potentially hazardous as they contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The average employee may come into contact
Children
Young developing children are a product of their environment. And when their surroundings contain dangerous hazards such as Persistent Organic Pollutants, it’s important to educate
Firefighters
The brave men and women who risk their lives for our own safety are our first line of defense when it comes to fires and
You may be exposed to POPs!
Become familiar with the dangers POPs pose to your health.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of their persistence, POPs bioaccumulate with potential adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
PBDEs & HBCD
At and around your household, you and your family may be exposed to a variety of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) including the Brominated Flame Retardants:
Pesticides
Whether you are on a farm spraying your crops or at the grocery store shopping for produce, you may be in contact with Highly Hazardous
UPOPs
In your backyard or even at the dinner table, you may be in contact with Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) and not even know it.
PCBs
If you live or work near sites where PCB oils have been used or stored (such as power generation stations or transformer storage sites) you
PFOS
There are few contaminants that have been found around the world like Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS). Used in many popular consumer goods such as stain-resistant carpets,
Contact Us
Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean
8 Alexandra St, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
- 868-628-8369
- info@bcrc-caribbean.org
Contact Us
Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean
8 Alexandra St, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
- 868-628-8369
- info@bcrc-caribbean.org
What’s POP-ping
Keep Current With POPs News!
Families
UPOPs Reduction through Improved Landfill Management
Under the project GEF 5558 for the Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Management Mechanism for POPs in the Caribbean, Component 2 addresses Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) reduction through the
August 14, 2020
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Farmers
Why is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Important?
The infographic below, from the Extension, Training and Services Division of The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago, illustrates how much
July 21, 2020
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Families
Update of National Implementation Plans
National Implementation Plans (NIPs) are one obligation under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants that guides the Parties to meet the objectives of the
July 13, 2020
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PBDES
Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Management Mechanism for POPs in the Caribbean
In 2013, eight countries in the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and
April 3, 2020
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