140 Ecology and Applied Environmental Science
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has drawn up a
list of the 12 most dangerous categories of organic chemical POP compounds, also known as the “Dirty Dozen.” Their common feature is the
presence of chlorine, which is associated with the characteristics of stability,
toxicity and bioaccumulation. As early as 1982 a broad action network of
various ecological and scientific associations was formed, which has begun
an international campaign to have the Dirty Dozen banned and replaced
by other, less harmful substances, and to introduce the use of alternative
plant protection methods. Their production and use were banned by an
international agreement among 120 countries signed in Stockholm in 2001.
In many developing countries some of these substances are still being marketed or are buried or improperly stored in various places. The Dirty Dozen
includes the following categories of substances:
• DDT: An insecticide used widely in the past, and still used in some
developing countries. It remains in the soil and in preserved foods for
a long time without breaking down.
• Dieldrin: Insecticide used widely in the past.
• Aldrin: Insecticide used widely in the past.
• Endrin: Insecticide.
• Heptachlor: Insecticide, a recognised carcinogen.
• Chlordane: Insecticide.
• Mirex: An insecticide and flame retardant used in plastics, rubber
and electronic products.
• Hexachlorobenzene (HCB): A fungicide. Also used in military products, in the manufacture of pigments and other organic materials and
as a wood preservative.
• Toxaphene: Insecticide, a mixture of approximately 670 chemical
substances.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Industrial products with many
ardous. They have been used as insulating oil in capacitors and transformers, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, plasticisers, etc. It is estimated
that hundreds of thousands of tons have been produced in the past.
trial products, but by-products of industrial processes or waste incineration (when chlorine is involved).
• Furans: Include 135 toxic substances.
7.3.1 toxic Substances for the Protection
of agricultural Production
To survive and develop on the planet, humans were and still are forced
to alter certain ecosystem balances in order to obtain energy and goods.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has drawn up a
list of the 12 most dangerous categories of organic chemical POP compounds, also known as the “Dirty Dozen.” Their common feature is the
presence of chlorine, which is associated with the characteristics of stability,
toxicity and bioaccumulation. As early as 1982 a broad action network of
various ecological and scientific associations was formed, which has begun
an international campaign to have the Dirty Dozen banned and replaced
by other, less harmful substances, and to introduce the use of alternative
plant protection methods. Their production and use were banned by an
international agreement among 120 countries signed in Stockholm in 2001.
In many developing countries some of these substances are still being marketed or are buried or improperly stored in various places. The Dirty Dozen
includes the following categories of substances:
• DDT: An insecticide used widely in the past, and still used in some
developing countries. It remains in the soil and in preserved foods for
a long time without breaking down.
• Dieldrin: Insecticide used widely in the past.
• Aldrin: Insecticide used widely in the past.
• Endrin: Insecticide.
• Heptachlor: Insecticide, a recognised carcinogen.
• Chlordane: Insecticide.
• Mirex: An insecticide and flame retardant used in plastics, rubber
and electronic products.
• Hexachlorobenzene (HCB): A fungicide. Also used in military products, in the manufacture of pigments and other organic materials and
as a wood preservative.
• Toxaphene: Insecticide, a mixture of approximately 670 chemical
substances.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Industrial products with many
ardous. They have been used as insulating oil in capacitors and transformers, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, plasticisers, etc. It is estimated
that hundreds of thousands of tons have been produced in the past.
trial products, but by-products of industrial processes or waste incineration (when chlorine is involved).
• Furans: Include 135 toxic substances.
7.3.1 toxic Substances for the Protection
of agricultural Production
To survive and develop on the planet, humans were and still are forced
to alter certain ecosystem balances in order to obtain energy and goods.