8.4
Health Impacts of POPs
The toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative nature of POPs has made them highly
dangerous pollutants for wildlife as well as human health (Sarwar 2015). Humans
can be exposed to these pollutants through inhalation of contaminated air, ingestion
of contaminated food, and direct contact with the pesticides. The concentrations of
POPs are reported to be present in individuals of all age groups but children can be
more susceptible to these pollutants rather than adults due to their physiology and
behavior (Mascarelli 2013).
The intended or unintended long-term exposure to POPs leads to several health
issues including cancer, asthma, diabetes, allergies, endocrine disruption, learning
disabilities, failure of reproduction systems, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases (Van Maele-Fabry et al. 2010). Several researches in the literature
have also reported the presence of POPs in the wombs of mothers, childbirth
complications, reduction in birth weight, and fetal deaths (Wickerham et al. 2012).
Even the minute concentrations of these pollutants can be extremely hazardous for
early development and health (Damalas and Eleftherohorinos 2011).
8.5
Types of Persistent Organic Pollutants
Several types of persistent organic pollutants being produced for different purposes,
such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used in agriculture to control pests,
manufacturing of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to use in transformers and
capacitors, similarly polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus
(DP) used as flame retardants in many products, and polychlorinated naphthalenes
(PCNs) used as dielectrics, plasticizers, paper, and fabric preservatives, are of the
major concern. Some of the highly harmful persistent organic pollutants are
discussed here.
8.5.1 Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs)
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were first commercially produced about
100 years ago, for their applications in industrial processes as preservatives of
wood, fabric, and paper; as plasticizers, to cut and grind fluids; as lubricants in
dielectrics; and as electric cable insulation. These compounds are the members of a
group of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and consist of almost 75 congeners
(Fig. 8.2). They have been recognized as persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative in
nature and hence considered as the harmful contaminants causing extremely severe
effects on humans as well as wildlife (Fernandes et al. 2017). Ingestion of these
contaminants is generally recognized as the main exposure route of these
contaminants except there is direct or specific exposure.
Due to a vast number of similar properties as well as industrial use and
applications, PCNs are generally associated with PCBs. Though, the occurrence
8 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Sources, Types, Impacts, and Their. . .
217
Health Impacts of POPs
The toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative nature of POPs has made them highly
dangerous pollutants for wildlife as well as human health (Sarwar 2015). Humans
can be exposed to these pollutants through inhalation of contaminated air, ingestion
of contaminated food, and direct contact with the pesticides. The concentrations of
POPs are reported to be present in individuals of all age groups but children can be
more susceptible to these pollutants rather than adults due to their physiology and
behavior (Mascarelli 2013).
The intended or unintended long-term exposure to POPs leads to several health
issues including cancer, asthma, diabetes, allergies, endocrine disruption, learning
disabilities, failure of reproduction systems, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases (Van Maele-Fabry et al. 2010). Several researches in the literature
have also reported the presence of POPs in the wombs of mothers, childbirth
complications, reduction in birth weight, and fetal deaths (Wickerham et al. 2012).
Even the minute concentrations of these pollutants can be extremely hazardous for
early development and health (Damalas and Eleftherohorinos 2011).
8.5
Types of Persistent Organic Pollutants
Several types of persistent organic pollutants being produced for different purposes,
such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used in agriculture to control pests,
manufacturing of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to use in transformers and
capacitors, similarly polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus
(DP) used as flame retardants in many products, and polychlorinated naphthalenes
(PCNs) used as dielectrics, plasticizers, paper, and fabric preservatives, are of the
major concern. Some of the highly harmful persistent organic pollutants are
discussed here.
8.5.1 Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCNs)
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were first commercially produced about
100 years ago, for their applications in industrial processes as preservatives of
wood, fabric, and paper; as plasticizers, to cut and grind fluids; as lubricants in
dielectrics; and as electric cable insulation. These compounds are the members of a
group of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and consist of almost 75 congeners
(Fig. 8.2). They have been recognized as persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative in
nature and hence considered as the harmful contaminants causing extremely severe
effects on humans as well as wildlife (Fernandes et al. 2017). Ingestion of these
contaminants is generally recognized as the main exposure route of these
contaminants except there is direct or specific exposure.
Due to a vast number of similar properties as well as industrial use and
applications, PCNs are generally associated with PCBs. Though, the occurrence
8 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Sources, Types, Impacts, and Their. . .
217