Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and their environmental and health impacts.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Synthetic, carbon-based molecules that do not easily break down in the environment.

Fat-soluble

A property of POPs allowing them to accumulate in organisms' fatty tissues rather than being excreted.

Examples of POPs

Includes substances like DDT, PCBs, PBDEs, BPA, dioxins, and phthalates.

Impact of DDT

Widely used insecticide that persists in soils and sediments, accumulating in aquatic food webs.

Transport of POPs

POPs can travel long distances via wind and water before redeposition.

Endocrine disruption

Affected condition in aquatic organisms due to the accumulation of POPs in their system.

Dioxins

A byproduct of chemical processes such as fertilizer production and waste combustion; they accumulate in animal fat.

Human exposure to POPs

Primarily occurs through animal products, such as meat, dairy, and fish due to fat accumulation.

Sources of POPs

Include pesticides, industrial processes, and waste burning. Examples are plastics and rocket fuel.

Environmental persistence of POPs

Their long-lasting nature in the environment due to their resistance to breakdown.