The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70769

Sharyle Patton, Commonweal, 451 Mesa Rd., Bolinas, CA 94924, (415)868-0970, spatton@igc.org

The International POPs Treaty is a global effort to reduce human exposure to global pollution from persistent organic pollutants. Although reducing exposure to toxic substances in our environment is important, it is not enough. New toxic substances, including many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) continue to be discharged into the environment. POPs are toxic to human health, persist in the environment and travel globally. Thus, urgent international efforts to get these toxins out of the environment are necessary. This presentation will highlight the International POPs Treaty as a strategy for international cooperation to reduce health risks from POPS by reducing the absolute level of these toxins in the environment. It will describe the nature of POPs, the 12 POPs of concern included in the treaty, prevalence, sources and impacts on human health, wildlife and ecosystems. Other issues covered are: U.S. role in implementing the treaty, challenges, and successes.

Learning Objectives:

• · Describe the public health implications of health risks from persistent organic pollutants (POPS) and the philosophy of precautionary action to protect public health.
• · Identify POPs of concern, prevalence and sources and health risks from exposure to these toxins.
• · Recognize the urgency and global nature of this problem and why international cooperation is needed.
• · Evaluate the International POPs Treaty as a strategy for curbing global pollution, including the role of the U.S. and the possible future of this initiative.

Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Toxicants

Related Web page: www.commonweal.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.