Up to December 2005 about 15673 wells were tested for arsenic by Field Test kits in 7 provinces of Cambodia. The results showed that 2924 wells (18.5%) of the total wells tested proved to have arsenic concentrations above the national limit of 50 ppb. The arsenic contamination of ground water did not occur evenly in Cambodia. The most highly affected province was Kandal. Forty seven percent of the wells tested in this province have arsenic level >50 ppb.

Drinking Water problem in Prek Reusey village

The village chief of Prek Reusey village, Kampong Kong Commune, Koh Than district of Kandal province reported that during the last 2-3 years 3 young people died who had skin problems. Most villagers who have skin problems in the Prek Reusey village consume water from tube wells all year round. There are 75 tube wells in Prek Reusey village, including community wells, private wells, and school well and Pagoda. The arsenic level in 70 tube wells varied between100-500 ppb.

Two days workshop for training on arsenicosis case detection and management was held in a hospital at Phnom Penh being organized by MOH. In all 79 participants attended the workshop. The following categories of personnel were present in the meeting.

• Directors of Provincial Health Department
• Directors of Provincial Rural Development Department
• Directors of Referral Hospitals
• Technical Bureau Chiefs
• Officials of Health Promotion Unit (Clinical Bureau)
• Officials in charge of Continuing Education in the Province.

Suggested integrated guidelines for mitigation of arsenicosis in Cambodia have been submitted.