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This research paper examines arsenic contamination in Cambodian rice, finding that the increasing use of groundwater for dry season irrigation facilitates the uptake of naturally occurring arsenic into rice grains. While arsenic in drinking water is a known issue, the document highlights a significant lack of awareness and data regarding rice as an exposure pathway. It identifies Kandal and Prey Veng as high-risk areas and notes that Cambodian rice can have higher arsenic levels than rice from Thailand or Viet Nam. The authors recommend improving surface water irrigation and diversifying crops to reduce reliance on contaminated groundwater.

This report analyzes the environmental impacts of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) on the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), with a specific focus on Cambodia. It examines how tariff reductions have driven trade flows and the resulting pollution intensity, noting that while some countries experience 'pollution gains' by importing dirty goods, this often shifts environmental degradation to the producer, primarily China. The report also highlights the risk of natural resource depletion, particularly deforestation and overfishing in Cambodia, driven by increased demand for wood, rubber, and fish.