Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that resist breakdown in the environment, can travel long distances and may accumulate in living organisms and through food webs. Examples include certain PCBs, dioxins and furans.

Because these compounds can bioaccumulate, food—particularly foods higher in the food chain—can be an important route of human exposure. Controls focus largely on reducing environmental releases and monitoring contamination rather than measures consumers can use to remove POPs once they are present in food.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Exposure Assessment Tools: Persistent Organic Pollutants — EPA

EPA overview of POP characteristics, persistence, bioaccumulation and food-chain exposure.

Dioxins & PCBs — FDA

FDA information on two important groups of persistent environmental contaminants in food.

Persistent organic pollutants (World Health Organization)

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