Governments convened 6-11 September 1999 in Geneva for the third round of talks on a legally binding global treaty to reduce and/or eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and so protect public health and the environment. This compilation of press items from that period reflects the growing public interest in the need for safeguards from these toxic chemicals. One hundred and fifteen countries took part in the Geneva session, working with 17 intergovernmental and 72 non-governmental organizations, for a total of more than 420 participants. The meeting is formally known as the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an International Legally Binding Instrument for Implementing International Action on Certain Persistent Organic Pollutants.