All Flashcards
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 the effects of DDT on birds of prey?
Eggshell thinning, leading to population declines.
What are the health effects of dioxin exposure?
Cancer, immune system suppression, and reproductive problems.
What are the health effects of PCB exposure?
Cancer, developmental issues, and neurological problems.
What are the consequences of POPs accumulating in fatty tissues?
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification, leading to higher concentrations in top predators.
What is the impact of POPs on human endocrine systems?
Hormonal imbalances, leading to developmental and reproductive problems.
What are the effects of Chlordane exposure?
Neurological effects, liver and kidney damage, and cancer.
What are the effects of HCB exposure?
Liver and kidney damage, and cancer.
What are the environmental consequences of POPs in the Hudson River?
Fish advisories and health concerns due to PCB contamination.
What are the human health consequences of Agent Orange exposure?
Health problems for veterans due to dioxin contamination.
What is the effect of POPs on neurological development?
POPs can cause neurological issues, especially in developing fetuses and young children.
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.