Hun Sen Orders Toxic Ice Factory Shut Down

13 May 2013
The Cambodia Daily
Economy and commerce / Government / Industries / Manufacturing
ammonia / human health / ice-making factory / Industrial pollution / Kilometre 6 commune / Kilometre Pram Muoy Commune / Kompong Chhang province / Ministry of Industry Mines and Energy / Pa Socheatvong / Phnom Penh / Phnom Penh municipal governor Pa Socheatvong / pollution / Prime Minister Hun Sen / Russei Keo district

Prime Minister Hun Sen said Saturday that he had ordered a Phnom Penh ice-making factory to shut down, after pungent chemical emissions from the plant in Russei Keo district caused more than 100 nearby residents to be hospitalized with breathing problems on Friday. At least 20 of those hospitalized had to spend the night in the hospital, while 100 more were prescribed medication and told to return on Saturday to check ammonia-absorption levels, according to district health chief Phan Phearath. Ammonia is used in the ice freezing process. … Mr. Hun Sen, speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a pagoda in Kompong Chhang province on Saturday, blamed the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy for allowing the factory to pollute the area with toxic chemical gases, and for refusing to act on on-going complaints by the community. …

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/hun-sen-orders-toxic-ice-factory-shut-down-23617/