Organic chemical substances are carbon-based.

POPs remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time, some reaching decades.

POPs are often called "forever chemicals" because they are resistant to chemical, biological, and photolytic degradation.

POPs become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes involving soil, water and, most notably, air

POPs accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms including humans, and are found at higher concentrations at higher levels in the food chain

POPs are toxic to both humans and wildlife.

Persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long-range environmental transport (LRET), and toxicity lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects.