People and animals are mainly exposed to POPs through contaminated foods. Less common exposure routes include drinking contaminated water and direct contact with the chemicals. Additionally, in mammals, POPs can be transferred through the placenta and breast milk to developing offspring.
These early stages of life are when organs develop the most quickly, which means they are at their most vulnerable. Effects of POPs during childhood may not manifest until later in their lives, at which point they could suffer from reproductive, developmental, behavioral, neurologic, endocrine, and/or immunologic adverse health effects.
Watu na wanyama hasa huathiriwa na POPs kupitia vyakula vilivyochafuliwa. Njia zisizo za kawaida za kuambukizwa ni pamoja na kunywa maji yaliyochafuliwa na kuwasiliana moja kwa moja na kemikali hizo. Kwa kuongezea, katika mamalia, POPs zinaweza kuhamishwa kupitia placenta na maziwa ya mama kwa watoto wanaokua. Katika hatua hizi za mwanzo za maisha, viungo vya mwili huendelea kukua kwa kasi zaidi, na hivyo huwa hatarini zaidi. Matokeo ya POPs wakati wa utoto yanaweza kuonekana tu baadaye katika maisha yao, wakati ambao wanaweza kuteseka kutokana na uzazi, maendeleo, tabia, neurological, endocrine, na au immunological madhara ya afya.