PHNOM PENH, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Environment on Friday released measures to prevent and reduce air pollution in the kingdom after it observed that air quality had declined.
The ministry said in a statement that it has equipped air quality monitoring devices across the country to detect PM10 and PM2.5 (air particles) and found that air quality is on the decline, that could affect human health.
PM10 and PM2.5 are produced by factories, diesel-driven vehicles, forest fire, and rubbish and solid waste burning at construction sites, public areas and rubbish dumps, the statement said, adding that PM10 and PM2.5 have recently increased higher than a standard limit.
"To improve air quality in cities and provinces, the Ministry of Environment would like to advise the sub-national administrations and environment departments across the country to take action to prevent forest fire and garbage and solid waste burning at public areas and rubbish dumps," it said. "Action must also be taken to prevent dust from construction sites, infrastructure renovation sites and roads."
The statement also called on people not to burn rubbish, solid waste, and agricultural waste as well as other chemical waste.
According to experts, 70 percent of air pollution came from vehicle fuels, 20 percent from dust at construction sites and 10 percent from other sources such as rubbish burning.
