Management of POPs: A Caribbean Perspective

Abstract

AbstractIn the twenty-first century extensive use and production of hazardous chemicals referred as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have raised significant concerns owing to their widespread environmental, health and ecosystem impacts. Although, the manufacture and usage of many POPs have been discontinued by many developed counties in many developing counties the usage and production of POPs is not as restricted. In the Caribbean region, POPs management efforts are problematical due to the lack of appropriate legislation and limitations in research and monitoring; hence these developing countries find it difficult to manage POPs and comply with international singed conventions. This poses a local, regional and global treat because of the POPs long-range transport characteristics. In an effort to have a more holistic perspective and a better understanding of the developments that have occurred subsequent to the approval of the Stockholm Convention this book chapter aims to discuss the types and impact of POPs, the analytical methods employed for the determination of POPs, the removal of POPs and an overview of POPs management in the Caribbean Region, specifically a case study of Belize.KeywordsPOPs Belize Caribbean POPs Management Stockholm Conventions