Shymkent once again blanketed by an unpleasant odor

Ulpan Sabi

Tengrinews.kz – The problem of an unpleasant smell has reappeared in Shymkent. Conspiracy theories have even emerged linking it to the fog that has been covering the city for three days now, citing Otyrar.

Tengrinews.kz – The problem of an unpleasant smell has reappeared in Shymkent. Conspiracy theories have even emerged linking it to the fog that has been covering the city for three days now, citing Otyrar.

Residents of Shymkent are posting on social media, discussing possible culprits and causes. People complain that the air has become heavy and that some find it difficult to breathe.

The situation has caused serious concern among eco-activists. Sergei Yefremov, who is actively campaigning for environmental protection, noted that what is happening may be linked to the human factor.

“It’s impossible to open the window — you immediately start coughing, children complain that their eyes are burning. It’s impossible to breathe, it irritates the nose. I assume that certain enterprises, especially at times when the city is covered in fog, simply release this gas,” says eco-activist Sergei Yefremov.

Environmental specialists responded to residents’ complaints and carried out another inspection. The test results showed no hazardous impurities in the air; all readings are within the norm.

“There may be an odor. However, it may not exceed the established maximum permissible concentration levels. If these limits are not exceeded, it is considered that there is no harm to human health. Today, specialists from our department also went out and checked the content of harmful substances in the ambient air. At the moment, no exceedances have been recorded,” said the head of the city ecology department, Yermahan Kozybayev.

Representatives of the BAITAQ party discussed the city’s air quality with officials from the competent authorities. In the party’s view, specialists lack sufficient powers to promptly inspect enterprises that may be in violation.

“It is necessary to amend the legislation and strengthen the role of the authorised bodies. Environmental protection must be a priority. The responsible structures should have the ability, like the police, to enter facilities immediately and carry out inspections,” believes Altay Ordabekov, head of the Shymkent branch of the BAITAQ party.

Last year, the ecology department inspected more than 30 enterprises. Fines totaling over 40 million tenge were imposed for identified violations. The activities of eight organisations were temporarily suspended. However, there is still no clear answer to the question of who is to blame and what should be done, Otyrar writes.

Shymkent fog ecology weather