Number: RL31652
Title: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Background and Issues in the 107th Congress
Authors: Linda-Jo Schierow
Abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that can harm human health and wildlife, do not break down easily in the environment, and tend to accumulate as they move up the food chain. Many POPs are transported in the air and water across international boundaries. In the last four years, the United States has joined in negotiations of three international agreements to address POPs: the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the 1998 Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC Convention).  This report compares two Senate proposals in the 107th Congress to implement the agreements, S. 2118 and S. 2507, as introduced. Both would amend two environmental statutes, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 
Date: November 27, 2002