SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) have stepped up inspections of factory premises and industrial estates following public complaints about a pungent burning smell in various parts of western Singapore.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday evening (6 August), the agencies said they had ramped up monitoring of industrial facilities in Jurong, Jurong Island, Bukom, and Tuas.
This followed widespread reports from residents in Jurong, Boon Lay, Clementi, Teban Gardens, Queenstown, Ghim Moh, and Buona Vista of intermittent odours resembling burnt chemicals.
Residents Alarmed by Unusual Odour
Residents living in the affected areas took to social media to express frustration over the recurring stench.
On 2 August, a Reddit user described a “really strong rubbery smell” around 2am.
The user clarified that it did not resemble the usual aromas from nearby food or chocolate factories, but instead had a kerosene-like scent.
The post quickly gained traction, with numerous other users chiming in to report similar experiences.
One resident, Akira Heng, who lives in Clementi, told CNA that he first noticed a strange smell akin to burning plastic around 5pm on Monday.
Despite keeping his windows shut, the odour lingered into the night.
“I could even smell it in the lift,” said the 40-year-old creative designer.
“It was particularly unpleasant, like being trapped inside a chemical chamber.”
While he did not suffer any health symptoms, Heng said the persistent and irritating smell was unlike anything he had previously experienced.
He speculated that the odour could have originated from Jurong Island, which he can see from his home near West Coast Park.
Eadmond Lim, a self-employed worker in the food industry who lives near the National University of Singapore, also noticed a pungent gas-like smell over several consecutive days.
Speaking to CNA on Tuesday, the 46-year-old said the smell was more noticeable during working hours, typically between 7am and 5pm.
While he sometimes picks up exhaust fumes from the Pasir Panjang sea port, he said this recent odour was different.
“It smelled heavy, like gas fumes,” he said. “It causes us a bit of headache when it gets too strong.”
NEA and SCDF Respond to Odour Complaints
In response to residents’ concerns, NEA and SCDF said they began collecting air samples at affected locations and nearby industrial sites shortly after receiving public feedback on Saturday, 2 August.
Real-time ambient air quality monitoring is currently ongoing.
“Thus far, the air quality remains within the normal range, and no hazardous substances have been detected,” the agencies confirmed in a joint statement.
“There have also been no reports of factory incidents or injuries related to the smell.”
The agencies noted that the prevailing wind direction during the period in question was from the southwest to southeast.
NEA has since notified industrial companies located upwind of the affected areas to stay vigilant and inspect for any undetected leaks or incidents that may have caused the odour.
NEA and SCDF added that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and investigate the source of the smell.
Public Still Reporting Smell
On social media, members of the public have continued to report the presence of the smell.
On CNA’s Facebook page, several users commented that the odour was still noticeable as of 6 August.
One user observed a recurring pattern, noting that the smell was strongest in the late morning, disappeared for a period, and then returned in the late afternoon.
The odour was described as resembling gas from burning fuel, causing nose and throat irritation.
The user also shared that a neighbour likened the experience to “breathing in fogging smoke”.
Another user speculated that the intermittent nature of the smell could be linked to illegal industrial activity, suggesting it might involve the disposal of industrial waste into storm drains or sewers.
The post NEA and SCDF step up factory inspections amid reports of burnt chemical smells in Singapore appeared first on The Online Citizen.
