Effects of persistent organic pollutants on environment, health and mountains: a review

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food chain and can exhibit toxicity with threatening effects to the environment, humans and animals. Due to their volatility and semi-volatility, they are found in air and they have the potential to be transported to high-altitude mountain locations as well as to high-latitude areas. The objectives of this study are; firstly, to look into the environmental and health impacts of POPs; secondly, to look into studies that covered the transport of POPs through atmospheric air, water and other POP sources such as sediments and soils; and, thirdly, to look into possible solutions that have been put forward regarding POP removal from the environment. The methodology that was used to look for references was through the Google, PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. The initial search retrieved 63 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts. The studies revealed that, POPs remain in the environment, causing health effects through their toxicity. Humans and animals take in POPs through the food chain because of the lipophilic nature of these compounds. Solutions that have been put forward by the studies are stopping the use of POPs, substituting POPs with non-toxic chemical compounds and having a wide range of non-chemical alternatives.