A growing population and rising incomes have caused a spike in the demand for food in Cambodia in recent years. In response, farmers in the country have increased the use of pesticides - some of them illegal - to boost agricultural production. But this rampant use of toxic chemicals, experts warn, is likely to cause many negative long-term health effects, including immune system disruption, an impaired nervous system and the development of certain types of cancer, among other things.

The hazardous substances are used not just by farmers, but also by retailers who want to ensure the fruits and vegetables retain their fresh look for a longer period, as desired by Cambodians. "Banned substances such as sodium hydrosulfite and borax, known in Khmer as msao sor and tek ansar, are used to maintain the fresh look and color of popular food items like chopped palm fruits, gingers and lemongrasses," Sieng Huy, execute director of the Cambodian Chemical Society (CCS), told DW.

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