The Inventory is a detailed bibliographic tool covering sources of information on POPs from international organizations and 33 countries. For both categories, the Inventory provides contact information. One hundred and fifteen countries participated in the third round of talks on a legally binding international treaty on POPs. The next round is set to take place 20-25 March 2000 in Bonn.
POPs pose serious risks to public health and the environment.
They resist degradation, can travel long distances, and accumulate in fatty tissues of living organisms, becoming more concentrated higher in the food chain. It will also be available online. UNEP developed the Inventory publication and database in response to the UNEP Governing Council Decision requesting immediate actions on POPs while treaty negotiations take place. It drew on information from questionnaires sent to countries and data published by intergovernmental organizations. The document updates a preliminary version in June 1998.