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New York Times, Associated Press

The convention calls for the elimination of PCB's, dioxins and other chemicals intentionally used or produced inmanufacturing that have become known as the "dirty dozen." They are persistent organic pollutants that dissolveslowly, travel easily and are absorbed by living organisms, including humans.

The treaty, which is to be signed in May in Stockholm, has been more than two and half years in the works afternegotiations were begun in June 1998 in Montreal.

The meeting here was scheduled to end late Saturday, but delegates agreed to extend the conference and finallyconcluded their negotiations early today, said Michael Williams, a meeting spokesman.

"The treaty enjoyed the broadest possible support," said John Buccini, chairman of the meeting, which was organizedby the United Nations Environment Program. "People not only felt that we have a treaty, but that we have agood treaty."

The treaty calls for reduction of releases of dioxins and furans -- toxic byproducts of burning and industrial production-- "with the goal of their continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination."

The continued use of electrical equipment containing PCB's will still be permitted until 2025 as long as the equipmentdoes not leak.

It also allows for the continued use of the industrial pesticide DDT to combat malaria until other alternatives areavailable.

Industrialized countries have already banned several of the chemicals, but the ban will still require "some hard work onthe part of all countries to apply," said James Willis, an official with the United Nations Environmental Program.

Countries burning their waste in open air and some factories will have to find alternative techniques, Mr. Buccini said.

"It is a possibility that this could lead to a higher cost," he said. "For example, manufacturing factories are going to haveto address reduction of releases of dioxins and furans."

The most contentious issues were provisions for expansion of the treaty to include other chemicals and a mechanism forindustrialized nations to pay about $150 million a year to help developing countries use cleaner but costlier options.

In a statement, Greenpeace welcomed the treaty as the "beginning of the end of toxic pollution."

The treaty must be ratified by 50 nations before it can take effect. Brooks Yeager, head of the United Statesdelegation, said he expected the ban to be approved by the coming Congress.

http://www.nytimes.com