Contaminants: Bad chemistry

Description

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical contaminants that adversely affect ecosystems, animals and humans. Most POPs are transported to the Arctic from southern latitudes by wind, rivers and ocean currents. The Arctic acts as a “sink” for these contaminants. Strict regulation has reduced the concentration of some POPs in the Arctic. However, new chemical contaminants reaching the Arctic is a matter of great concern. There are around 150,000 chemical substances but less than 1,000 are regularly monitored.