PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Environment has warned about the public health impacts of the improper use of acid for gold or platinum extraction.
Acid is used to extract precious metals like gold or platinum from e-waste, jewellery and other materials. Although the process is rare in the developed world, it still takes place in some parts of the kingdom, warned the ministry.
It explained that heating acids during the gold extraction process releases toxic substances that can affect human health if people inhale the fumes. This can cause acute respiratory damage, lung swelling and long-term lung diseases. Direct contact can also lead to severe burns, eye or skin damage.
Furthermore, it harms the environment by releasing acid fumes that contribute to acid rain, which damages local vegetation, makes soil acidic and pollutes water sources.
Local media and residents have reported that the process is still taking place, causing environmental damage and affecting people’s livelihoods.
Ministry specialists, in collaboration with municipal-provincial environment departments and local authorities, are taking action to ensure that business owners or small-scale operators stop improper acid burning practices, especially when such activities pollute public air and affect public health and living conditions.
The ministry explained that burning or heating hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO₃), and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) during gold extraction releases toxic substances such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and acid fumes, which cause serious respiratory problems and severe environmental acid emissions.
Environmental experts recommended best practices, including requiring business owners or operators to use fume scrubbers, neutralising agents (such as urea, bases, etc.) and personal protective equipment (PPE) to control toxic emissions.
In addition, operators must treat waste and should not discharge untreated acidic wastewater.
Wastewater treatment systems should be used to neutralize pH and remove dissolved heavy metals. At the same time, acids must be stored securely in containers to prevent leaks into the environment. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
