The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact 
in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have adverse effects 
to human health or to the environment.  Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead serious health effects including certain cancers, birth 
defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and even diminished intelligence.  Given their long range transport, 
no one government acting alone can protect is citizens or its environment from POPs.  In response to this global problem, the Stockholm Convention, which was 
adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, requires Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.  The Convention 
is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.