Letter to the Editor
The Cambodia Daily
A stroll down Ochateal in Sihanoukville during Pchum Benh revealed no less than a half-dozen used syringes.
Not only do Sihanoukville beachgoers have to be on the alert after a spate of muggings and killings, they also need to be wary of stepping on syringes.
Kaoh Sampouch beach in Ream National Park has beautiful white sand, but strewn along it one is likely to find hazardous medical waste including intravenous fluids and blood bags that have washed up with the tide. Otres and Ochateal beaches have similar problems. Tourists who venture to Cambodia's islands also report collections of medical waste.
A stroll down the southern portion of Ochateal during the Pchum Ben holiday revealed no less than a half-dozen used syringes, three of which still had their needles.
This medical waste could come from neighboring or distant countries who dump it off Cambodia, out of sight of regulating agencies. A less likely source would be in Cambodia. Countries that adhere to proper medical standards are obliged to contract firms to dispose of medical refuse.
Unfortunately, it is often easier to dump this waste in the ocean rather than incinerating it.
One gets the feeling that the expensive incineration step is being skipped, and Cambodia's oceans are becoming a dumping ground.
A single prick from a rusty needle has the potential to inflict beachgoers with serious and life-threatening infections.
Chris Hilleary, Phnom Penh
Not only do Sihanoukville beachgoers have to be on the alert after a spate of muggings and killings, they also need to be wary of stepping on syringes.
Kaoh Sampouch beach in Ream National Park has beautiful white sand, but strewn along it one is likely to find hazardous medical waste including intravenous fluids and blood bags that have washed up with the tide. Otres and Ochateal beaches have similar problems. Tourists who venture to Cambodia's islands also report collections of medical waste.
A stroll down the southern portion of Ochateal during the Pchum Ben holiday revealed no less than a half-dozen used syringes, three of which still had their needles.
This medical waste could come from neighboring or distant countries who dump it off Cambodia, out of sight of regulating agencies. A less likely source would be in Cambodia. Countries that adhere to proper medical standards are obliged to contract firms to dispose of medical refuse.
Unfortunately, it is often easier to dump this waste in the ocean rather than incinerating it.
One gets the feeling that the expensive incineration step is being skipped, and Cambodia's oceans are becoming a dumping ground.
A single prick from a rusty needle has the potential to inflict beachgoers with serious and life-threatening infections.
Chris Hilleary, Phnom Penh
1 comment:
Chris, You mentioned it was unlikely that those medical wastes were from Cambodia side? But I'm not sure about this. I don't think her neighboring countries either.
Neighboring countries means VN and Thailand. Is it unlikely the wastes was come from Malayia or singapore or Indonesia. Very mysterious but are very contagious and health harzous.
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