Its adoption by the Ministers in Aarhus will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the upcoming Conference. The involvement of NGOs in the negotiations has been without precedent. At the Aarhus Conference itself NGOs will, moreover, organize a half-day session on public participation. The keynote address will be delivered by Ms Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Both are known to be a threat to our health and 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. POPs may have a detrimental effect on physical and intellectual development, and damage the immune system. They are also thought to cause birth defects and reduce male sperm counts.