Chun Sophal
The Mekong Times
Arsenic discovered recently around areas of Tonle Sap River by the World Health Organization (WHO) does not threaten public health, Cambodian government officials said yesterday.
In a separate interview with The Mekong Times, Sieng Sotham, director of the Department of Geology at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, said: “We consider arsenic a risk, but do not think it will threaten public health because people’s awareness has been increased through information and education. We have found quantities of arsenic in some areas near Tonle Sap River in provinces such as Kompong Thom and Kompong Chhnang, but we think the effective level is still lower compared to some regions located in provinces in the south of the country along the Mekong River.”
“At the moment we are not very concerned about this because there are many organizations and some ministries cooperating to prevent arsenic seeping under ground,” he added.
On July 11, 2008, WHO reported that high-risk arsenic was discovered in Sumatra, in Myanmar and Cambodia’s Tonle Sap river area. Mao Saray, director of Rural Water Supply Department of the Ministry of Rural Development, said to prevent arsenic from affecting people’s health, the ministry is conducting tests on wells located in the regions to ensure they are usable.
Mao Saray said, “We have found that only two of the seven provinces in the country which have an arsenic risk contain worryingly high quantities of arsenic – Kandal and Prey Veng.”
“We think that the regions which face a high risk of arsenic require organizations and ministries to first conduct tests in a bid to ensure the effective use of water,” he added.
Cambodia and UNICEF have cooperated for many years to analyze well water in many regions along the Mekong river to prevent arsenic-related disasters. According to a brief report by the Ministry of Rural Development, thousands of wells in Kompong Cham, Kandal, Prey Veng and Phnom Penh were tested for arsenic. A study by the ministry indicated that the seven provinces containing arsenic under ground are Kratie, Kompong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kandal, Prey Veng, Kompong Thom, and Kompong Chhnang.
Veng Thai, director of Phnom Penh Municipal Department of Health, said: “We are searching for arsenic in wells used by people, and we will not allow them to drink or cook with the water containing arsenic as it can cause dermatitis, cancer and fatalities.” Veng Thai added, “Usually, arsenic does not show symptoms immediately. Therefore, the technical team has marked a drawing in red to show the areas banned for water use due to positive testing for arsenic.”
In a bid to study in detail the impacts of arsenic on human health, next month a technical team from Japan will conduct a field survey in Prey Veng province to ensure whether reported illnesses in the province are caused by arsenic, said Mao Saray.
In a separate interview with The Mekong Times, Sieng Sotham, director of the Department of Geology at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, said: “We consider arsenic a risk, but do not think it will threaten public health because people’s awareness has been increased through information and education. We have found quantities of arsenic in some areas near Tonle Sap River in provinces such as Kompong Thom and Kompong Chhnang, but we think the effective level is still lower compared to some regions located in provinces in the south of the country along the Mekong River.”
“At the moment we are not very concerned about this because there are many organizations and some ministries cooperating to prevent arsenic seeping under ground,” he added.
On July 11, 2008, WHO reported that high-risk arsenic was discovered in Sumatra, in Myanmar and Cambodia’s Tonle Sap river area. Mao Saray, director of Rural Water Supply Department of the Ministry of Rural Development, said to prevent arsenic from affecting people’s health, the ministry is conducting tests on wells located in the regions to ensure they are usable.
Mao Saray said, “We have found that only two of the seven provinces in the country which have an arsenic risk contain worryingly high quantities of arsenic – Kandal and Prey Veng.”
“We think that the regions which face a high risk of arsenic require organizations and ministries to first conduct tests in a bid to ensure the effective use of water,” he added.
Cambodia and UNICEF have cooperated for many years to analyze well water in many regions along the Mekong river to prevent arsenic-related disasters. According to a brief report by the Ministry of Rural Development, thousands of wells in Kompong Cham, Kandal, Prey Veng and Phnom Penh were tested for arsenic. A study by the ministry indicated that the seven provinces containing arsenic under ground are Kratie, Kompong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kandal, Prey Veng, Kompong Thom, and Kompong Chhnang.
Veng Thai, director of Phnom Penh Municipal Department of Health, said: “We are searching for arsenic in wells used by people, and we will not allow them to drink or cook with the water containing arsenic as it can cause dermatitis, cancer and fatalities.” Veng Thai added, “Usually, arsenic does not show symptoms immediately. Therefore, the technical team has marked a drawing in red to show the areas banned for water use due to positive testing for arsenic.”
In a bid to study in detail the impacts of arsenic on human health, next month a technical team from Japan will conduct a field survey in Prey Veng province to ensure whether reported illnesses in the province are caused by arsenic, said Mao Saray.
4 comments:
Cambodian government officials such as AH Sieng Sotham is an educated fool who know shit about chemistry or chemical in general for him to make such stupid statements! All the shit spit out by stupid Cambodian officials always embarrasses Cambodian people!
AH Sieng Sotham mother fucker did not know that ARSENIC do build up in the human body overtime even with small amount which can lead to chronic side effect such lung cancer, blindness, vascular disease...!
Well, so far no one had died from it, and we don't give a rat's arse about no stupid theory.
1. What are the possible health effects of arsenic in drinking water?
According to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences (USA), arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer. The study also found that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as heart and blood vessels, and causes serious skin problems. It also may cause birth defects and reproductive problems.
Think about it!
Unfortunately this problems can occur years after drinking the water.
If anybody want to check his/her own water I have this Link:
http://www.testproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=833
If you have your own well it may be a good idea to check it and at the same time for Pesticide too.
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