ORGANIC

POLLUTANTS

Alizeh, Insa, Mishal

 ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Organic pollutants are organic
compounds that are resistant to
environmental degradation through
chemical, biological or photolytic
processes. These are generally called as
persistent organic pollutants which have
significant impacts on human health
and environment.
 ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Organic pollutants include

pesticides, fertilizers, hydrocarbons,

phenols, plasticizers, biphenyls,

detergents, oils, greases,

pharmaceuticals, proteins and

carbohydrates
 Classification of POPs
Two major types of Organic
pollutants are:
Natural organic pollutants- exist
naturally in environment
Synthetic organic pollutants-
man-made
 What are POPs
Intentionally produced chemicals
currently or once used in agriculture,
disease control, manufacturing, or
industrial processes.
Examples include PCBs and DDTs used
in electrical transformers, capacitors
and for control of malaria
 What are POPs
Unintentionally produced
chemicals, such as dioxins, that
result from some industrial
processes and from combustion
For example, municipal and medical
waste incineration and backyard
burning of trash
 Consequences of persistence
High lipid solubility; accumulation in
fatty tissues.
Stability towards hydrolysis and
photolytic degradation
Long-range transport- travels far away
from source
Bioaccumulation- concentration of
these compounds to dangerous levels
 Effects of POPs
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants can
cause the following health affects:
Development defects
Chronic illnesses
Breast cancer
Damage to reproductive, nervous and
immune systems
Obesity
 Effects of POPs
Exposure to POPs can cause
declines, diseases, or abnormalities
in a number of wildlife species,
including certain kinds of fish, birds,
and mammals
Behavioral abnormalities and birth
defects in fish, birds, and mammals
 In-door POPs in urban areas
The change in trends of life has led to a
growth on in-door culture and
therefore, indoor dust and air that
humans are exposed to through
ingestion and inhalation. Sometimes
indoor concentration of POP has
exceeded the concentration outside. For
example, carbon monoxide and tobacco
smoke
 CONTROL AND REMOVAL
Impossible to break down completely
Banning its use to control it rather than
focusing on removing the existing
amount
Toxic by-products are created due to
uninvestigated degradation processes
 CONTROL AND REMOVAL
There are different methods of removal of organic
pollutants.

The biological treatments are a removal process for

some organic compounds, their products of bio-
degradation may also be hazardous.

Several treatment technologies are employed to

remove organic pollutants from waste water which
includes flocculation, coagulation, biological
oxidation and sedimentation.
 CONTROL AND REMOVAL
Enzymatic method can be used to control the
organic pollutant.

Organic pollutants can also be controlled by

reducing environmental releases of dioxins and
furans to land, air, and water.

Ban the use and production of organic pollutants

worldwide.
 CONTROL AND REMOVAL
Fly ash (Ash produced in small dark flecks by
the burning of powdered coal or other
materials and carried into the air) relatively
abundant and inexpensive material can be
used to control the organic pollutant.
Organic pollutants can also be controlled by
raising awareness about the health and
environmental impacts of persistent organic
pollutants.