November 2014: On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) published an interview with Ibrahima Sow, Senior Environmental Specialist and Cluster Coordinator, Climate Change and Chemicals, GEF.The Stockholm Convention initially controlled the use of 12 toxic and persistent chemical compounds, and 11 more substances having been added to the POPs list since 2004. These include the insecticide DDT as well as dioxins, which are unintentionally released into the environment by fires, especially where waste is burnt. These pollutants require special disposal so they do not enter the food chain. Two thirds of the GEF’s chemical portfolio for the sixth GEF replenishment (GEF 6) is dedicated to reducing and eliminating POPs.

In the interview, Sow highlights the three POPs categories of pesticides, industrial chemicals and compounds, and unintentional by-products resulting from combustion processes. He notes that once ingested, POPs are not easily excreted, and that humans can accumulate POPs by eating contaminated fish, meat and dairy products. He noted that dioxins and furans are among the most toxic substances and have been classified as ‘human carcinogens’ by the World Health Organization (WHO). He said exposure to them has been associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) deficits, withdrawn/depressed behavior, adverse effects on the attention spans of children, and hyperactive behavior.

When used as pesticides, POPs residues contaminate crops and people who eat them, with long-term health effects including cancers, endocrine system and hormonal disruption, reproductive disorders, neurological and behavior disorders, Parkinson’s disease and birth defects.

Sow said GEF’s chemicals and waste focal area strategy aims to prevent the exposure of humans and the environment to harmful chemicals and waste, including POPs, mercury and ozone-depleting substances, through reducing their production, use, consumption and release.

Operating the financial mechanisms of both the Stockholm Convention on POPs and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, GEF provides assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Sow noted that the GEF has, until now, invested US$705 million in projects in the chemicals focal area, and leveraged US$2 billion in co-financing from partners. For GEF 6, US$374 million will be targeted to POPs projects. [GEF Interview with Ibrahima Sow] [Stockholm Convention Website]