Toxic air in Navoi sparks outrage as residents demand answers

On the morning of July 19, thick smoke blanketed the city of Navoi. According to residents, the smoke had a pungent odor and caused coughing. Just days later, on the night of July 20–21, a toxic gas leak involving hydrogen peroxide occurred in Tashkent’s Olmazor district. Earlier in May, a chemical plant in Kokand released liquid ammonia, threatening both the environment and human health. In light of these recent incidents, Kun.uz spoke with citizens, a climatologist, and a doctor. People in Navoi say both their lungs and patience have reached their limits.

The smoke that enveloped Navoi on July 19 was thick and foul-smelling, residents report. It caused throat irritation and triggered coughing fits, creating a sense of discomfort and unease. Then, on the night leading into July 21, a leak of hydrogen peroxide gas was detected in Tashkent’s Olmazor district. Air Tashkent sensors classified the air quality as extremely hazardous. The smell, residents said, was similar to vinegar. Back in May, an ammonia leak from a plant in Kokand had forced the evacuation of workers and nearby residents. The frequency of such man-made disasters is raising serious concerns about public health and environmental safety.

In response to recent events, Kun.uz spoke with two Navoi residents, a climatologist, and a physician. A staff member at the regional phthisiology and pulmonology center in Navoi confirmed that air pollution levels in the city remain dangerously high. Although the July 19 incident has somewhat subsided, locals remain concerned about ongoing toxic exposure.

“That morning, like always, I left for work at around 7 or 7:30. Thick smoke had engulfed everything. My house is just 50 meters from the main road, but I couldn’t even see the road itself. Everyone was anxious and irritable. I commute using public transport, and the entire ride people were discussing the smoke. The lungs of Navoi’s residents are filled with poison, and our patience is running out,” said Muzaffar Toshtemirov.

Local blogger Yulduzhon Olimova, who shared updates about the toxic air on social media, said that even a week later, no one had offered residents a clear explanation.

“Several days have passed, but no one has addressed us or acknowledged what happened. At first, we thought it was just fog, but it turned out to be toxic smoke. It’s getting harder to breathe, our eyes sting, and we wake up feeling more exhausted than rested,” Olimova said.

Initially, residents suspected the source of the pollution to be Navoiazot JSC. Toshtemirov noted that most people still hold this belief. However, officials later reported that several industrial enterprises in the Elektroapparat zone had jointly contributed to the pollution. Testing revealed ammonia concentrations 1.4 times above permissible levels, and hydrogen sulfide levels 16.8 times higher than the standard. Although the Navoi regional environmental department initially blamed Navoiazot, company representatives claimed the smoke had entered the city from the west.

Minister Aziz Abduhakimov also confirmed that the toxic emissions did not originate from Navoiazot. According to climatologist Erkin Abdulahatov, the incidents in Navoi, Tashkent, and Kokand are a sign that such technological hazards are becoming more frequent. He emphasized the importance of following clear emergency response protocols in accordance with the law to avoid bureaucratic deadlock and confusion between agencies.

Abdulahatov also stressed that with over a week having passed since the Navoi incident – and with public dissatisfaction and health risks mounting – a rapid response task force should have been established. Such a task force, he said, should include representatives from each relevant agency and provide timely, accurate information to the public.