Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants ( POPS) in Pacific Islands Countries

The management of chemicals has been recognised for some time as an environemntal issue of major significance in the South Pacific region. These materials represent a serious threat to human health through contamination of soil and water resources and also to mahor ecosystems as a result of poor handling and disposal. The problems are particularly difficult for Pacific Island Countries because of lack of information of the types and volumes of chemicals being stored a poor understanding within the wider community of how chemicals should be used and stored, limited knowledge of the threat than certain chemicals pose for community and environmental health an absense of appropriate disposal options and government and community commitments directed to other priority areas.