Residents of Shymkent report a sharp deterioration in air quality and describe the situation as an "environmental catastrophe."
According to Tengrinews.kz, in several districts a strong chemical smell is noticeable in the evening, spreading from the territory of the oil refining SEZ "Ońtüstik", where large industrial enterprises are located.
City residents note that the smell intensifies after nightfall, linking it to the activity of certain industrial facilities.
According to a report on the state of atmospheric air in Shymkent as of 25 November, prepared by RSE "Kazhydromet", an increased level of air pollution was recorded in the city.
The document states that the concentration of hydrogen sulphide exceeded the maximum permissible limit by 1.71 times.
Recall that in October, residents of Ust-Kamenogorsk complained about the heavy air. At that time, a thick "fog" shrouded the city, which turned out to be unrelated to the weather. According to "Kazhydromet", the atmosphere recorded nearly a threefold exceedance of sulphur dioxide.
Overall, the city has repeatedly been recognised as one of the most polluted in the republic. Ust-Kamenogorsk accounts for about 46–50% of all emissions in the East Kazakhstan region.
According to the results of studies, average concentrations of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter regularly exceed standards — sometimes by 1.5–3 times, depending on the season and measurement point.
On "smog" days, especially in winter during calm, cold weather, the wellbeing of city residents worsens: complaints of coughing, eye and throat irritation, and deterioration in children's health. In November last year, due to the sharp deterioration in air quality, authorities switched schoolchildren to distance learning for the first time.
In November of this year, the Akim of the East Kazakhstan Region Nurymbet Saktaganov stated that he intends to solve the main environmental problems of Ust-Kamenogorsk within five years. He reported that a plan of measures worth 10.5 billion tenge has been approved for the next three years.
At the same time, it was reported that a mobile environmental laboratory costing 65.5 million tenge was presented in Ust-Kamenogorsk. It is expected to carry out measurements across the city and respond promptly to deteriorations in air quality.