NOV 2018

In Phnom Penh, air pollution comes from various sources such as from vehicle exhaust, road construction, industry and some other factors attributing to air pollutants. Such as particles and chemicals can lead to climate change, slow down economic growth, and damage human health.

For instance, PM2.5, one type of particle, is daily reported between​15 µg/m3 – 30 µg/m3 of which 50 µg/m3 reaches the dangerous level of air quality.

In this respect, some chemical pollutants are not available to be studied due to insufficient technical support and human resources in the field…

As Phnom Penh becomes the second fastest growing urbanization in East Asia; this is a good sign, yet sustainable development has to be put into consideration along with concrete implementation which sorely needs collaborations from involved sectors especially from higher level when it comes to such a global issue.

A senior student at the Department of Media and Communication in Royal University of Phnom Penh, Sereyrath Mech has been passionate with nature and interested in photography, particularly street photography. She finally comes out with a project titled “Contemporary Breath” for her bachelor thesis.

Contemporary Breath is conducted In a form of photo book consisting of several photo series illustrating various sources of air pollution in Phnom Penh from a journalistic perspective. To be more specific, this work conceptually aims to reflect the current causes of air pollution by using contemporary style. To achieve this, audiences play an important role to fulfill a complete meaning of the story.