Which of the following are examples of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?…
2023
Which of the following are examples of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)? A. Dioxins B. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) C. Formaldehyde D. Organochlorine pesticides E. Furans. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: B. A, B, D and E only — ConceptPersistent organic pollutants are organic chemicals that resist environmental degradation, accumulate in living organisms, can travel long distances,…
- A.
A, C and E only
- B.
A, B, D and E only
- C.
B and D only
- D.
B, C and E only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept
Persistent organic pollutants are organic chemicals that resist environmental degradation, accumulate in living organisms, can travel long distances, and cause harmful effects.
Under the Stockholm Convention, the initial POP groups include specified organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the unintentional by-products dioxins and furans.
Application
A. Dioxins are persistent chlorinated by-products included among the convention-listed POPs.
B. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent industrial chemicals included among the convention-listed POPs.
C. Formaldehyde is a reactive, water-soluble aldehyde that is removed comparatively rapidly and lacks the persistence and bioaccumulation profile of a POP.
D. The organochlorine-pesticide class includes several convention-listed POPs, such as DDT, aldrin, chlordane, and dieldrin.
E. Furans are persistent chlorinated by-products included among the convention-listed POPs.
Therefore, A, B, D and E form the required set.
Cross-check
The convention list independently groups POPs as pesticides, industrial chemicals such as PCBs, and by-products such as dioxins and furans; formaldehyde is not in those groups.