Heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants are known to be a threat to our health and to cause damage to our environment.
Heavy metals can cause blood disorders and affect vital organs such as the liver and the kidneys.
The ongoing accumulation of heavy metals is also a considerable stress factor for the forest ecosystem and for tree vitality. In addition, birds and mammals risk reproductive impairment through increased exposure to mercury in contaminated prey, especially in acidified habitats. Very high concentrations of POPs have long been associated with a number of carcinogenic and other health effects. In recent years, however, there has been growing evidence that POPs can have much more subtle effects even at very low concentrations. POPs are thought to cause birth defects and reduce male sperm counts.