The Global POPs Treaty
The Stockholm Convention on POPs is a legally binding instrument designed to protect human health and the environment from the danger of persistent organic pollutants. The treaty identifies twelve high priority chemicals, including dioxins, PCBs, and DDT.
See the Dirty Dozen POPs for more information about the initial twelve groups of chemicals, including their status under U.S. law. The Stockholm Convention also includes provisions for adding other chemicals that meet the defined criteria of persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity.
As of August 2005, 106 countries have ratified the POPs Treaty. The second meeting of the Conference of the Parties will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 1 - 5, 2006.
