Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
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Define persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic, carbon-based chemicals that are resistant to breakdown and persist in the environment for decades.
True or False?
All POPs are made by humans.
False.
Some POPs, such as dioxins, are produced naturally by volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
Why is the pesticide DDT still produced today?
DDT is still produced to control mosquitoes that carry malaria.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are industrial chemicals used as lubricants and in electrical equipment.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are industrial chemicals used as lubricants and coolants in electrical equipment.
How are unintentionally produced POPs, such as dioxins and furans, formed?
Dioxins and furans form as byproducts of industrial processes and of burning waste, such as municipal and medical waste incineration and backyard burning of trash.
Define global distillation.
Global distillation (the grasshopper effect) is the process by which POPs travel in air, water, and soil to remote places far from their point of origin.
Why are POPs difficult to remove from soil?
POPs are difficult to remove from soil because they bind easily to organic matter, so they can stay in soil and sediment for decades or even centuries.
In which animal tissue do POPs build up?
POPs build up in adipose (fat) tissue because they are fat-soluble.
The can carry DDT used on crops in one country and deposit it in another.
The jet stream can carry DDT used on crops in one country and deposit it in another.
True or False?
Drinking contaminated water is the main way people are exposed to POPs.
False.
The main source of POPs for people is contaminated food; exposure from drinking contaminated water or touching chemicals is less common.
Why are Indigenous peoples at higher risk of exposure to POPs?
Many Indigenous peoples rely on traditional foods such as fish, shellfish, and high-fat wild foods, and in remote areas this locally sourced subsistence food may be the only option.
How can mammals pass POPs to their offspring?
Mammals, including people, can pass POPs to their offspring through the placenta and breast milk.
What health problems has PCB accumulation caused in killer whales and polar bears?
PCB accumulation in these marine top predators has caused immune and reproductive problems.
How did DDT cause the decline of the bald eagle in the 1960s and 70s?
DDT thinned bald eagle eggshells so much that the birds could not produce live offspring.
Which industries can suffer economic impacts from POPs?
POPs can have significant economic impacts on industries that rely on natural resources, such as fishing and tourism.
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