**Author details**

at the top of the food chain. Consequently, background levels of POPs can be found in the

Human exposure—for some compounds and scenarios, even to low levels of POPs—can lead, among others, to increased cancer risk, reproductive disorders, alteration of the immune system, neurobehavioral impairment, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity and increased birth

POPs as could be seen from above summary are indeed environmental threats that need to be addressed with all seriousness. Their mode of transmission is by atmospheric, and they can find their ways in all aspects of the environment (air, water and soil), and what is making it more dangerous is their persistent nature and most of them being non-biodegradable [2]. Health risk is the most important thing to note and pay particular attention to avoid contraction of example carcinogenic diseases that are life-threatening. It is no wonder that some of the chemicals such as DDT have been banned from usage in modern times. In places where they are found such as in lake sediments and other areas are difficult to remediate and dif-

There is therefore the urgent need to give the maximum attention and try not to contaminate fresh waters and further spread it in the environment. People should be forewarned about its imminent dangers and try to avoid the dissipation of these dangerous chemicals into the

There is the need to further research into possible areas suspected to be already contaminated such as farmlands where pesticides have been applied and their possible spread around. Taking note also of the fact, some of these dangerous pesticides could reach far more areas than could be imagined, and the strict adherence to the banning of some of them should be

Scientists should be encouraged to publish their findings from research and data compiled. The research should target specific environments and the problems well addressed to ascer-

human body [1].

2 Persistent Organic Pollutants

defects [1].

environment.

observed [4].

**4. The human risks to POP exposure**

ficult to repair when any damage has been done [3].

tain what POPs have done to those environments.

• Effects of POPs on rural drinking water

• Managing common sources of POPS

• Harmful effects of POPs

The following areas of attention need to be concentrated:

• Dissemination of POP chemicals into the food chain

• Atmospheric transfer of POPs into the environments

Stephen Kudom Donyinah

Address all correspondence to: stevedon19@yahoo.com

Department of Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Knust), Kumasi, Ghana
