All Flashcards
What is the goal of the Stockholm Convention?
To eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs globally.
What is Annex A of the Stockholm Convention?
Lists POPs banned for production and use (e.g., DDT, PCBs).
What is Annex B of the Stockholm Convention?
Lists POPs restricted for production and use (e.g., Chlordane).
What is Annex C of the Stockholm Convention?
Lists chemicals under review for future inclusion as POPs.
How often does the COP meet for the Stockholm Convention?
Every two years to review and assess implementation.
What makes POPs dangerous?
They persist, bioaccumulate, biomagnify, and are toxic.
Why are POPs fat-soluble?
They accumulate in fatty tissues of organisms.
What is the significance of long-range transport of POPs?
POPs can travel across continents via air and water, affecting distant ecosystems.
How do POPs disrupt endocrine systems?
They mimic or block hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances.
Why are birds of prey vulnerable to DDT?
DDT causes eggshell thinning, leading to reproductive failure.
What is the role of air in POPs transport?
Wind carries POPs far from their source, enabling widespread contamination.
What is the role of water in POPs transport?
Rivers and oceans move POPs around, spreading contamination to aquatic ecosystems.
Why is the Stockholm Convention important?
It provides a framework for global cooperation to reduce and eliminate POPs.
How do POPs affect human health?
They can cause cancer, neurological issues, and developmental problems.
What are the major sources of POPs?
Industrial processes, pesticides, and combustion byproducts.
What are POPs?
Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals.
Define bioaccumulation.
The build-up of a substance in an organism.
Define biomagnification.
The increase in concentration of a substance as it moves up the food chain.
What is the Stockholm Convention?
A global treaty to eliminate or restrict POPs.
What are legacy sources?
POPs still present in the environment from past use.
What are dioxins?
Toxic byproducts of industrial processes and combustion.
What are PCBs?
Industrial chemicals linked to cancer and developmental issues.
What is HCB?
Hexachlorobenzene, a fungicide and pesticide.
What is Chlordane?
A pesticide once used for termites, now banned.
What is DDT?
A pesticide that harms wildlife, especially birds.