Organochlorine contamination in fish and mussels from Cambodia and other Asian countries Available to Purchase

Contamination by organochlorine compounds (OCs) was examined in fish and mussels collected from Cambodia and other Asian developing countries in 1997 and 1998. DDT and its metabolites were the predominantly detected compound in both fish and mussel samples. PCBs were second highest, followed by HCHs, CHLs, and HCB. Freshwater fish contained higher concentrations of DDTs than marine fish and mussels, implying that the source of DDTs originated from inland watersheds such as the Mekong River, Basac River, Tonlesap River, and Tonlesap Great Lake. Comparison of the OC residue levels in fish and mussels from Cambodia with those in other Asian and Oceanic regions suggested that Cambodia is one of the countries least contaminated by OCs. In other words, it can be concluded that among Asian and Oceanic countries Cambodia has kept a “Clean Environment”.