Sihanoukville Authorities Collect Samples of Construction Materials, Motorcycle Parts to Prevent Asbestos Exposure

In Sihanoukville province, a major port city in southwestern Cambodia, officials from the Directorate General of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (C.A.C.) in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Commerce, conducted an operation to investigate and collect samples of suspected goods to inspect their quality and safety, and to protect the health of citizens from the dangers of chemical substances. The operation took place on September 15, 2026. Under the direct leadership of Mr. Khun Simon, Director of the Sihanoukville C.A.C. branch, the operation focused on two major categories of products. For construction materials, the investigation targeted items such as smart boards, fiber cement boards, ceilings/plasterboards/cement boards, tiles, and metal/wood cutting blades. For motorcycle spare parts, samples included brake pads, engine bearings, and raw silk used for sealing cement pipes. Specialists clarified that asbestos is a natural mineral classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a highly dangerous chemical substance and a carcinogen. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other cancers. This toxic substance is odorless and invisible to the naked eye, but it releases fine dust into the air during processing, cutting, grinding, brake pad friction, or the demolition of old buildings. A significant concern is the long incubation period of diseases, ranging from 10 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Furthermore, waste containing asbestos can pollute soil, water, and air, imposing a heavy economic burden for treatment. During the operation, specialized officials expressed gratitude to the traders who cooperated well and continued to urge high vigilance regarding products containing asbestos. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local