It was prepared for use by decision-makers and a general audience. 2. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 2.1 General characteristics of persistent organic pollutants Persistent organic pollutants are organic (carbon-based) compounds that include synthesized substances (pesticides and PCBs).ersistent Organic Pollutants and the Stockholm Convention Page 1 1. Introduction The World Bank is an implementing agency with the United Nations Environment Program and United Nations Development Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).