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

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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

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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

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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:

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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

Read More »

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.

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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

Read More »

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,

Read More »

Contact Us

Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean

8 Alexandra St, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Contact Us

Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean

8 Alexandra St, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

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