PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen recently signed a directive to all relevant ministries, institutions and administrations to lead the charge on reducing pollution.
According to the Phnom Penh Post, he said measures carried out by the authorities to reduce emissions were limited.
“Air pollution will only worsen if not managed properly,” the directive said.
The directive said an increase in fine particles of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) in size, caused by emissions from industrial plants, vehicles, forest fires and waste incineration, could threaten public health.
The directive instructed relevant institutions to manage air pollutants, and networks that monitor and forecast air quality and pollution level.
Environmental Ministry secretary of state and spokesman Neth Pheaktra said it saw a sharp increase in PM2.5 in the capital during this year’s dry season.
He said this was caused by various factors — about 70 per cent by vehicle emissions, 20 per cent by dust from construction sites and concrete plants, and 10 per cent by the burning of garbage, dust on streets, and emissions from garment factories and others.
To maintain healthy air quality, Pheaktra said management and measures must be taken in advance.
Cambodian Youth Network vice-president Sar Mory, a firm advocate of forest conservation, praised the new directive.
With the increase in industrial factories built around the capital and the growing population, the directive could not have come at a better time, he said.
He said if factories continued to be built here, air pollution would only worsen by the year.