Almaty residents are reporting a persistent chemical odor in the area of Mukhanov Street — according to them, a pungent "smell of toxic substances" seeps into apartments even through closed windows and has lingered for several weeks, reports infohub.kz.
The problem was described by a Threads user under the handle oleg22_. According to him, the source of the unpleasant smell is the construction of a new residential complex, and it has now been going on for a third week. "Even at home with the windows closed, your throat tickles and your eyes turn red," he wrote, voicing fears of chemical poisoning.
Other commenters agreed, sharing their own experiences. "I have a constant headache, this stench started more than a month ago, it's impossible to breathe or walk. Parked cars reek of this chemical smell through and through; if you stand next to the construction site, you can't get into a car with the windows closed without airing it out!" they write.
Some users suggested the cause could be the treatment of a building with some kind of liquid. "At first we thought something had been painted. But this smell has been around for more than a month. Maybe because of the long-stalled construction, the buildings are being treated with some liquid, maybe some kind of anti-mold or something similar," they note in the comments. Others write: "I can't imagine how the residents there cope — I just drive through this intersection every morning and evening. At first I thought something had been painted, but this stench has been there for about three weeks now." Another comment: "I drive past there every day in the morning and after lunch. And it always stinks, even through the closed windows of the car. At first I thought someone had painted something, but this smell has been there for so long! Even driving past, my eyes water from the smell, let alone the people who live there and feel it day and night."
According to residents, they live with the sensation of the smell in their mouths even with the windows closed in their apartments. The toxic odor, others note, can be felt along Mukhanov below Zhambyl — from Kabanbay Batyr Street.
The Almaly District Akimat commented on the situation. "A residential complex, Frankfurt na Vesnovke, is under construction at this address. Waterproofing work is currently underway. According to the Almaly District Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Department, no violations of sanitary norms have been identified," the akimat said. It added that the work is scheduled to be completed on October 20.