Degradation Pathways of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Environment

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are resistant to most of the known environmental degradation processes. Because of their persistence, POPs bioaccumulate in animal tissues and biomagnify along food chains and food webs with potential adverse impacts on human and wildlife health and the environment. Although POPs are resistant to most of the environmental degradation processes, there are some environmental processes mostly microbial degradation that can degrade POPs to other forms that are not necessarily simpler and less toxic. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted in 2001 was meant to restrict the production and use of these toxic chemicals in the environment.