Persistent organic pollutant levels

There is growing evidence that environmental contaminants represent a conservation-level concern in some marine mammal populations, by contributing to an increased vulnerability to infection by natural or emergent pathogens. In this light, those marine mammals that are most contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are most vulnerable to adverse health effects. Those species that occupy high trophic levels in aquatic food webs are typically the most contaminated [47 19],... 

Dioxins are very persistent organic pollutants that are present in harbours as by-produets of ineomplete combustion and industrial processes (Besselink et al., 2004). Dioxins in sediments are not aeutely toxic, but are known to induce developmental, reproduetive and immune toxicity after ehronie exposure at low levels. In the licensing system for qualifying dredged material for... 

Nizzetto L et al (2010) Past, present, and future controls on levels of persistent organic pollutants in the global environment. Environ Sci Technol 44 6526-6531... 

Wilson, N.K., Chuang, J.C. and Lyu, C. (2001) Levels of persistent organic pollutants in several child day care centers. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 11, 449-58. 

But flame retardants, as with so many persistent organic pollutants, are like the flu exposure is everywhere, and hiding behind a healthy diet won t guarantee your safety. They are also a leveler of socioeconomic class. Californians, in many ways the healthiest Americans, appear to harbor the highest body burden of flame retardants. This is because the state has the highest fire safety standards and people s homes are oozing with the stuff. But California has affected—or infected—us all as state standards become the norm for... 

On the other hand, the chemical contamination of breast milk is not a trivial issue. When it comes to persistent organic pollutants, breast milk is the most contaminated of all human foods. It typically carries concentrations of organochlorine pollutants that are ten to twenty times higher than those in cow s milk. And children who were breastfed as babies have higher levels of chemical contaminants in their bodies than those who were formula-fed. (Remember, in spite of this fact, breastfed children are healthier, less prone to cancer, and smarter.)... 

In addition to public concern, international conventions to reduce or eliminate emissions of POPs in South Korea took effect in May 2004. The South Korean Government, as a signatory participant of the Stockholm Convention on POPs, plans to ratify the convention. Then the government is obliged to submit a National Implementation Plant (NIP) to minimize POPs emission and update the plan and provide a status report every two years from the time of ratification (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2001). Therefore, it is inevitable that a scientific assessment and review of the domestic status and history of the POPs pollution including emissions, contamination levels (or distribution), exposures, and risks will be needed. This information will be disseminated to the public and also used to develop efficient control... 

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Vietnam Levels, Patterns, Trends, and Human Health Implications... 

The EMEP monitoring network of precipitation chemistry consists of about a hundred stations distributed in almost 30 countries across Europe.1 All of these measure inorganic ions as well as pH and conductivity. Figure 17.1 illustrates the concentration levels of sulfate (corrected for sea salt), nitrate, and ammonium in 2006. The monitoring sites of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are less densely distributed 2 in 2006, there were around 50 for heavy metals such as lead... 

A number of potentially toxic metals have been reported in breast milk, including Cd, Hg, and Pb. Unlike the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals do not bind to the fat, and so they do not usually accumulate at concentrations higher in breast milk than in blood. As a result, infants are likely to be exposed to higher levels of toxic metals before birth than during breastfeeding. Nonetheless, knowledge of concentrations of potentially toxic metals in breast milk is important as an indication of both likely prenatal and postnatal exposure. 

Sandanger TM, Brustad M, Sandau CD, Lund E. Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in a coastal northern Norwegian population with high fish-liver intake. JEnviron Monit 2006 8(5) 552 7. 

Li QQ, Loganath A, Chong YS, et al. Levels of persistent organic pollutant residues in human adipose and muscle tissues in Singapore. J Toxicol Environ Health 2006 69(21) 1927 37. 

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