ABSTRACT
The term “persistent chemicals” hereby refers to any synthetic organic chemical species that is stable in the environment for long periods of time and causes unintended effects on the environment and health of wildlife and humans. Persistence is often measured as a half-life in the environment. According to Rodan (2002), persistence screening values for the Stockholm Convention are based on 2 months in water or 6 months in soil or sediments, with a 2 day screening criterion for air transport [2]. Table 1.1a through d shows structures of selected classical and emerging man-made persistent chemicals that are/were heavily produced and used in industry, agriculture, public health, pharmaceuticals, and as by-products. This chapter reviews the spatial and temporal trends of classic organochlorine compounds as well as other emerging pollutants (including brominated and uorinated compounds, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals used in consumer products) in the world and the future implications of these trends. Existing information was compiled and interpreted to understand the clearance rates in various geographical locations and biota. The conclusions derived are based on trend analyses performed during the past two decades and on information obtained from published data.
