New Treaty Bans Twelve Toxic Chemicals 6222

Stockholm, Sweden — A new United Nations treaty bans or minimizes the use of the "dirty dozen," a group of persistant organic pollutants (POPs) known to cause cancer and birth defects in humans and animals. Among the 12 toxic chemicals to be banned are industrial waste products such as dioxins and furans. The treaty will be signed Wednesday and must be ratified by 50 governments before enactment.