PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPS)

Twelve priority persistent organic chemicals (POPs), popularly known as dirty dozen, have been listed under International Convention on POPs. These are Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, HCB, Mirex, Toxaphene, Chlordane, DDT, Heptachlor, PCBs and unintentional by-products, i.e. dioxins and furans. The objective of the international convention is to promote and ensure banning/phasing out/restricting the use of these chemicals by all the countries.

For India, DDT, PCBs and unintentional POPs i.e. dioxins and furans are relevant among the dirty dozen. Other pollutants are either not produced or already banned. Sh. R.B.Committee recommended the following schedule for elimination of DDT production in the country by 2003. However, the alternate economically viable chemicals to replace the use of DDT needs to be identified.

Year	Max. Production available
2000	5000 MT
2001	3000 MT
2002	1000 MT
2003	NIL

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) require the strategies for restricted application and eliminating the same in long run.The banning or restrictive use of any chemical requires comprehensive study in respect of direct and indirect effects, alternate chemicals, patents, technology availability, industry needs, revenue implications and safe disposal of banned chemicals. The technical calibre may not be a constraint for India, however, other factors such as financial resources, time and infrastructure facilities are limiting factors for POPs elimination programme.