How many organic chemicals were initially covered by the Stockholm Convention on POPs?

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) initially covered 12 organic chemicals. This international treaty, adopted in 2001, aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of these harmful substances due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment. The original list included well-known compounds like DDT, PCBs, and dioxins, which are notorious for their persistence in the environment and their potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain.

The choice of 12 reflects the alarming nature of these chemicals and the global consensus to address them early on, setting the stage for subsequent amendments and additions to include more substances as scientific understanding of their impacts grew. This is key to grasping the scope of international efforts in chemical regulation and advancing global health and environmental protection.