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Persistent Organic Pollutants

See also:  Pesticides | PCBs Dioxin


Glossary Terms

Bioaccumulants
Substances that increase in concentration in living organisms as they take in contaminated air, water, or food because the substances are very slowly metabolized or excreted. (See: biological magnification.)(1)

Biological magnification
The process whereby certain substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain by working their way into rivers or lakes and being eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by large birds, animals or humans. The substances become concentrated in tissues or internal organs as they move up the chain. (1)

Biological uptake
The transfer of hazardous substances from the environment to plants, animals, and humans. This may be evaluated through environmental measurements, such as measurement of the amount of the substance in an organ known to be susceptible to that substance. More commonly, biological dose measurements are used to determine whether exposure has occurred. The presence of a contaminant, or its metabolite, in human biologic specimens, such as blood, hair, or urine, is used to confirm exposure and can be an independent variable in evaluating the relationship between the exposure and any observed adverse health effects.(2)

DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane)
The first chlorinated hydrocarboninsecticide. DDT has a half-life of 15 years and can collect in fatty tissues of certain animals. EPA banned registration and interstate sale of DDT for virtually all but emergency uses in the United States in 1972 because of its persistence in the environment and accumulation in the food chain.(1)

Persistence
Refers to the length of time a compound stays in the environment, once introduced. A compound may persist for less than a second or indefinitely.(1)



 Information Sources and Organizations
Looking for information on Persistent Organic Pollutants? Click on the following summary databases to learn more!Looking for articles, reports, or scientific literature on Persistent Organic Pollutants? Click on the following bibliographic databases to learn more!Looking for research on Persistent Organic Pollutants? Click on the following research databases to learn more!Looking for Organizations that are involved in the issue of Persistent Organic Pollutants? Click on the following organizations to learn more!

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