Organic Pollutants Poison the Roof of the World

ananyo writes "Toxic chemicals are accumulating in the ecosystems of the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau, researchers warn in the first comprehensive study to assess levels of organic pollutants in that part of the world. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are carbon-based compounds that are resistant to break-down. Some originate from the burning of fuel or the processing of electronic waste, and others are widely used as pesticides or herbicides or in the manufacture of solvents, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Some POPs, such as the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and the herbicide Agent Orange, can cause diseases such as cancers, neurological disorders, reproductive dysfunction and birth defects. The researchers found large amounts of POPs (including DDT) in various components of the ecosystems such as soil, grass, trees and fish in the Himalayas and in the Tibetan plateau, especially at the highest elevations."

Re:Article fail

[Attila Dimedici]

Which is actually very pertinent information as it suggests that this finding is more a useful tool for measuring the improvement (or failure to improve) of man's releasing of pollutants into the environment than it is a newly discovered threat. Although if the more extreme global warming alarmists are correct, these pollutants may get released into the environment at some future date, to the detriment of those living near the Himalayas (probably not an issue for those living at a distance from the Himalayas).

Re:U.S. off the hook for this one

[Anonymous Coward]

Just because you happen to disagree with a particular practice during wartime does not make it a violation of Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions specifically are rules by signatories that state these are the rules they will follow when conducting war but it only applies to signatories; if someone does not sign and does not follow the rules, or does sign and then violates the rules, then it's generally accepted that one does not place blame on a responding party who is forced to violate the rules in order to stop the initial violation. In this case, Agent Orange was a defoliant and herbicide designed to remove the Viet Cong from the countryside. The Viet Cong violated the Geneva Conventions through multiple forms by both not wearing some sort of marker or uniform that identified them as a combatant and hiding amongst civilian populations, despite Vietnam being a signatory to the Geneva conventions not 4 years prior to the US involvement in Vietnam.

While you may disagree with it's use on a moral perspective, which you are entitled to do so, that does not change the fact that it was not a violation of the Geneva Conventions which are a form of international law.