Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have a wide variety of species, a wide range of distribution, and have caused widespread concern for the ecological environment and human health hazards. Monitoring POPs in the environment is of great significance for pollution assessment, contaminants remediation and production management. Traditional detection methods based on chromatographic separation technology have the advantages of low detection limitation, high sensitivity and good stability, but they also have the disadvantages, such as long cycle, high consumption, and complicated process. Fluorescence spectrum analysis develops rapidly with few samples used, simple pretreatment, and non-destructive advantages. Scholars have carried out a lot of studies and formed a relatively complete method system. In this paper, the control concentrations and detection methods of POPs in current environmental standards in China are described, the application and advance of using direct, indirect fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence scanning combined with other techniques, three-dimensional fluorescence coupled with chemical multiway calibration and laser-induced fluorescence in the detection of POPs, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in water and soil are reviewed, the latest research results are focused, the respective application of the technology is summarized, the shortcomings and areas to be improved are analyzed, and the research and application about detecting POPs directly by using fluorescence spectrometry are also discussed. This paper provides reference for the further development of rapid detection of POPs by using fluorescence spectrum.