THIS PAGE WAS UPDATE ON: 03/29/04

29 June - 3 July 1998; Montreal, Canada

Over 100 governments are meeting in Montreal, Canada, from 29 June to 3 July, for the first round of talks on an international agreement to minimize emissions and releases of persistent organic pollutants such as DDT and PCBs into the environment.  A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that exposure to very low doses of certain POPs - which are among the most toxic substances ever created - can lead to cancer, damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, diseases of the immune system, reproductive disorders, and interference with normal infant and child development. Another concern behind the treaty negotiations is the growing accumulation of unwanted and obsolete stockpiles of pesticides and toxic chemicals, particularly in developing countries.  The Montreal talks will focus on a list of 12 POPs: aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, dioxins, endrin, furans, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, PCBs, and toxaphene. Scientific criteria will be developed for identifying other POPs that may be added to the list later.