This photo taken at about 2.30 pm yesterday shows buildings covered by smog on Koh Pich island in Phnom Penh. -- Photo: Heng Chivoan/KHMER TIMES
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodian capital Phnom Penh now ranks as second most polluted city in the world on Friday morning, according to live IQAir results.
According to the ‘Live most polluted major city ranking IQAir’ ranking, as of this morning Phnom Penh ranks as the second most polluted city while Dhaka in Bangladesh ranks higher. Dhaka is in with a rating of 233 compared to 198 for Phnom Penh.
198 qualifies to an ‘Unhealthy’ ranking – and is just 2 points from ‘Very Unhealthy’.
Amid concerns over the air quality in Phnom Penh, the Ministry of Environment, however, has assured the public that levels are still acceptable.
However, it is monitoring the situation since Thailand has issued a red alert over the air quality in 44 provinces.
The statement follows recent concerns on social media and reports from Swiss air quality monitoring organisation IQAir, which ranked Cambodia as the 6th most polluted country in its January 23, 2025, report. According to IQAir, Cambodia’s air pollution, measured by fine particulate matter (PM2.5), could pose health risks if levels were to escalate.
Meanwhile, many people complained that they had difficulties breathing and suffered eye irritation in the open space in the capital, especially along the road.
Despite this, the Ministry in a press release yesterday reassured the public that Cambodia’s air quality remains in good condition and poses no significant health risks, even as neighbouring countries grapple with severe air pollution.
At the press conference yesterday, Environment Ministry spokesman Khvay Atitya stated, “Although air pollution levels in Cambodia have risen, they have not reached a dangerous threshold that warrants precautionary measures such as staying indoors or mandatory mask-wearing in public.”
Atitya said that the ministry is closely monitoring air quality nationwide.
“We have 60 monitoring stations, including 10 in Phnom Penh, along with two mobile air quality monitoring vehicles. Our data from the beginning of January until now confirms that while pollution levels have risen, they are not hazardous,” he said.
The spokesman attributed the increase in PM2.5 levels to several factors, including agricultural burning, waste incineration, and cross-border pollution from neighbouring countries facing severe air quality issues. “Seasonal factors, such as the dry and hot weather, also contribute to higher pollution levels,” he added.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Environment has implemented various measures, such as discouraging farmers from burning rice fields, banning the use of industrial fabrics that exacerbate air pollution, and raising public awareness.
“We have issued directives to local authorities and citizens to reduce activities that contribute to air pollution, such as open burning,” Atitya explained.
He also addressed the differences in air quality standards among countries, urging the public to understand that Cambodia’s air quality assessments adhere to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
“Each country has its own air quality standards. The ranking by foreign organisations should not be directly applied to Cambodia without considering our context and standards,” he clarified.
Acknowledging public concerns, Atitya said the public’s interest in air quality reflects growing awareness of health and environmental issues, which is a positive development. However, the ministry’s monitoring tools show that Cambodia’s air quality remains in good condition.
In early 2021, Cambodia recorded air quality levels classified as “moderate” under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines. The PM2.5 concentration was measured at 20.9 µg/m3.
Under such conditions, it is recommended to keep windows and doors closed to limit exposure to polluted air. Individuals with sensitivities are advised to avoid outdoor activities, and if going outside is necessary, wearing a high-quality mask is strongly encouraged.
In 2019, Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, experienced “moderate” air quality for 11 months, with PM2.5 levels ranging between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m3. The only month with “good” air quality was August, which recorded a reading of 10.2 µg/m3. Over recent years, there has been a slight worsening trend in air quality. PM2.5 levels averaged 20.8 µg/m³ in 2017, 20.1 µg/m³ in 2018, and 21.1 µg/m³ in 2019.
The WHO recommends an average annual PM2.5 level of no more than 10 µg/m2. Cambodia’s air pollution, while below the global average of 51 µg/m³, remains higher than this guideline, with a recorded level of 26 µg/m³ in 2016. - Khmer Times