Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical substances that are highly toxic and persistent in the environment for a long time. Majority of POPs are pesticides or insecticides, with some also being solvents, or industrial chemicals.They bio-accumulate through the food chain and can cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. It can effect human health including increased cancer risk, reproductive disorders, immune system alteration, neurobehavioral impairment, endocrine disruption, geno-toxicity, and increased birth defects.

The world community recognized the need to eliminate POPs and thus, in its attempt to address this pervasive global issue, India signedthe Stockholm Convention in May, 2002. We at toxics link are constantly engaged in research and advocacy, field monitoring, creating new data and information and  awareness generation on the issues related to POP’s,

Health care facilities are meant to reduce health problems but in the course of providing the service, it inevitably creates waste. Healthcare waste has a high potential for infection and injury and if not appropriately managed, has the potential to pollute the environment and put public health at risk. Toxics Link has been working towards making the healthcare systems safer and more sustainable. We are involved in training and capacity building of health care professionals on waste management, setting up hospitals with good waste management protocols and systems, survey and waste inventorisation also take up research on biomedical waste management systems. We also provide technical support for  setting up of common biomedical treatment facilities for a state or region.