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Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Meaning

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a class of toxic chemicals that resist environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes, allowing them to persist in the environment for extended periods, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and pose a risk to human health and ecosystems. These lipophilic compounds, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and unintentional by-products, can disrupt endocrine function due to their structural similarity to endogenous hormones, earning them the classification of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Exposure to POPs is a significant concern in hormonal health, as it is linked to metabolic disorders, reproductive issues, and certain cancers. Global regulatory efforts, such as the Stockholm Convention, aim to eliminate or restrict the production and use of these ubiquitous toxins.