POPs and Skin

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is the name of a group of ubiquitous man-made toxic environmental pollutants which have adverse effects on the environment and human health. The skin is a major target organ of toxic effects of POPs as well as signalling organ for the toxicity of these compounds. Chloracne is the most obvious signs of systemic contact with higher levels of POPs with chloracnegenic potential. First we will discuss chemical and toxicological properties of POPs and finally the pathophysiology of cutaneous diseases derived from POPs including acne, cancerogenesis, porphyria and others.