Kratie (FN), May 7 - The Ministry of Industry and Handicraft has discovered chemical compounds in rice wine and alleged polluted water in Kratie, according to Chan Borin, director general of Industrial Standards of Cambodia (ISC) on Monday.

Rice wine sample contains 11.22% Methanol, with a maximum standard of only 0.15%; while water sample contains 173 micrograms of Chromium and 7 to 23 milligrams of nitrogen per liter of water, with a maximum standard of only 50 micrograms and of only 3 milligrams of nitrogen per liter of water respectively.

According to the Elements de Toxicologie Analytique for adults, consuming 20 to 50 milliliters of methanol can cause death. The Chromium can cause rash, gastritis, inflamed lesions, respiratory problems, immune system degradation, kidney and liver damage, genetic changes, and lung cancer, which could lead to death. The Nitrogen can cause stomach cancer, diarrhea, vomiting and can also lead to death.

As of Monday morning, the number of victims harmed by the allegedly polluted water since Thursday in the above district have increased to 200 on top of the 13 deceased, according to Chhneang Sovatha, director of Kratie’s health department.

According to the ministry’s press release, 134 victims of the two cases are being treated at Kratie provincial hospital, and that 12 serious patients were sent to Calmette Hospital.
=FRESH NEWS