The international community comes together in Johannesburg, South Africa this week (Dec. 4-9) under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program to conclude the draft of an historic treaty to rid the world of its most toxic and harmful chemicals.

Among the worst of these are the pesticide DDT and dioxins created as byproducts in combustion and various industrial processes, including waste incineration, and during the life cycle of the most toxic plastic made: polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC or vinyl).

The meeting, attended by over 120 governments, is the final set of negotiations to draft the global treaty to stop these so-called persistent organic pollutants, or POPs. The highly charged POPs debates have no less at stake than the future of the planet. If concluded, the treaty should go into effect in May 2001. Unfortunately, a few powerful governments are obstructing the will of the majority.