AmCham President says that ‘bad habit’ of burning agricultural waste has become ‘widespread’ in Cambodia, leading to air pollution

AmCham President says that ‘bad habit’ of burning agricultural waste has become ‘widespread’ in Cambodia, leading to air pollution

#National

The President of the The American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia Association, Casey Barnett, has highlighted what he says is an increasing problem in air pollution in Cambodia – which affects health and tourism in Cambodia.

Speaking via his personal social media, Mr Barnett stated that ‘NASA satellite imaging of fires shows that burning of agricultural waste on farmland and plantations has become widespread in Cambodia, resulting in air pollution.

On January 26, 2026, there are 27 micrograms of fine particulate (PM2.5) for every cubic meter of air, which is 5 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.’

He added that ‘Besides causing cancer, it also negatively affects tourism’

-Khmer Times-

Image: Casey Barnett Facebook

He shared satellite imagery of Cambodia to highlight his point at
https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:24hrs