Persistent organic pollutants (POP)
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to the chemical, biological, and photolytic processes of degradation in the environmental and remain as toxic chemicals that can affect human health, wildlife and the environment. They accumulate in the body fat of people, marine mammals, and other animals and are passed from mother to foetus.They can travel great distances by wind and water currents
They are produced during combustion of municipal and medical wastes, general waste and industrial processes, but also some fuels. They have also been found as trace contaminants in certain older generations of herbicides, wood preservatives, plasticisers, dyes and paints that contained one of the now banned POP's.
There are 12 POP's, often called the dirty dozen, many of which are now banned but can remain in some older products;
- Aldrin - pesticide applied to soils to kill termites, grasshoppers, corn rootworm.
- Chlordane - a broad-spectrum insecticide on a range of agricultural crops and to control termites.
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) - used against malaria, typhus, and other diseases spread by insects, was also sprayed on a variety of agricultural crops, especially cotton.
- Dieldrin -to control termites and textile pests, also been used to control insect-borne diseases and protect soils.
- Endrin -insecticide is sprayed on the leaves of crops such as cotton and grains.
- Heptachlor - pesticide applied to soils to kill termites, grasshoppers on cotton crops.
- Hexachlorobenzen - was used to treat seeds, as it kills fungi that affect food crops.
- Mirex - was used mainly to combat fire ants and other types of ants or termites. Also used as a fire retardant in plastics, rubber, and electrical goods.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)- used in industry as heat exchange fluids, in electric transformers and capacitors, and as additives in paint, carbonless copy paper, and plastics.
- Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins - produced by incomplete combustion of hospital waste, municipal waste, and automobile emissions, peat, coal, and wood and during the manufacture of pesticides and other chlorinated substances.
- Polychlorinated dibenzofurans - produced by incomplete combustion of hospital waste, municipal waste, and automobile emissions, peat, coal, and wood and during the manufacture of PCB.
- Toxaphen - This insecticide is used on cotton, cereal grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Adhesives.
- Asbestos.
- Binding agent.
- Construction dust.
- Contaminated land.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
- Deleterious materials.
- Environmental legislation.
- Environmental policy.
- Hazardous substances.
- Inspections focus on occupational lung disease.
- Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990.
- Ozone depleting substances.
- Pollution.
- Structural adhesives.
- Volatile organic compounds VOC.
- Workplace exposure limits.
Featured articles and news
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Considering building acoustics with the AT Journal.
Why building acoustic considerations must be non-negotiable.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
Top 50 Women in engineering 2022.
Inventors and innovators at ICE.
Life, death and art at the Stuart court. Book review.
Real estate, place adaptation and innovation.
Review and comment on the revised draft before July 11.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
IHBC's 25th anniversary 2022 Aberdeen School.
A blended event and triumphant return.
New Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair selected.
Mark Reynolds succeeds Andy Mitchell as Co-Chair of CLC