18th Meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee

Why in the News?

The 18th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Review Committee (POPRC-18) at the Stockholm Convention has included five more chemicals in its agenda.

Key Highlights of the POPRC-18

• The agenda included five more chemicals for listing them under the Stockholm convention.

• Chlorpyrifos
• Chlorinated paraffin (beyond prescribed)
• Long-chain perfluoro carboxylic acids 
• Dechlorane plus
• UV-328

• India’s Stand:

• • • India had opposed the decision to list flame retardant dechlorane plus and Chlorpyrifos

• Rationale:

• • • Chlorpyrifos is not a carcinogen and its concentrations are low.
    • Before listing dechlorane plus on Stockholm Convention, seek more socio-economic implications of global action on it.

What is Stockholm Convention?

• • The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
    • Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife.

• Aim:

• • Eliminate dangerous POPs, starting with the 12 worst
  • Support the transition to safer alternatives
  • Target additional POPs for action
  • Cleanup old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs
  • Work together for a POPs-free future
• The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the designated interim financial mechanism for the Stockholm Convention.