Cambodia Cracks Down on Water Polluters and Toxic Materials

MoE

Cambodia’s government has issued a double-barrelled warning to environmental and health offenders, as two senior ministers announced sweeping measures to tackle water pollution and toxic construction materials.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth revealed that 52 companies have been fined over the past six months for illegally discharging contaminated liquid waste into rivers and lakes. Speaking after a ministry review meeting on Tuesday, Sophalleth said several firms have been ordered to overhaul their waste systems, while others face full suspension.

“These penalties are not about money,” he stressed. “They are meant to prevent further pollution. Even one litre of toxic water can cause serious illness or death.”

The ministry plans to expand drone surveillance and boost staff capacity to monitor natural resources more effectively. Spokesman Khvay Atitya confirmed that all companies—regardless of size or status—will be held accountable for untreated waste discharge.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Chheang Ra has called for an urgent end to the use of asbestos and silica in Cambodian construction.

Addressing a cancer diagnosis workshop in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Ra described the materials as “silent killers” linked to lung cancer and irreversible damage.

He urged hospitals to collect more data on asbestos-related illnesses and called for stricter import controls, public awareness campaigns, and legal reforms to phase out hazardous products. Ra also thanked the Australian government for its support in training Cambodian specialists.

The Ministry of Land Management has already proposed treating asbestos as a key safety issue in national construction policy. With safer alternatives now available, officials say Cambodia must act decisively to protect future generations.

Together, the two announcements signal a robust shift in Cambodia’s approach to environmental and public health threats—one that prioritises prevention, accountability, and long-term resilience.

-2025-08-29