Residents of Bangkok, Singapore, protest the installation of eight exhaust pipes on the rooftop of a neighboring mall that emits a foul smell and smoke. The exhaust pipes were added to eliminate fumes from the food and beverage shops within the mall. However, residents can still detect the stench even with the coverings added.
The odor has become unbearable for some residents, such as Ms. Sun, who purchased a high-rise unit facing Buangkok Square shopping mall last year. She claims there was no odor when renovations were ongoing. But since the exhaust pipes have been installed on the mall’s roof, “every time I open the window, there’s an oil smell,” she said. Ms Sun has filed complaints through the OneService app, but the authorities say the exhaust pipes comply with regulations since they do not directly face her unit. Ms Sun has spent $600,000 buying her unit, and the fumes are pretty ridiculous, adding that the “stench gets worse when there’s no wind.” She has installed an air purifier and fragrance bags, but the smell remains intolerable.
Other residents chimed in, expressing their dissatisfaction with the situation. One resident, Mr. Huang, said he has been complaining about the odor since last year. Although authorities are trying to address the matter, the situation remains unchanged. Another resident also surnamed Huang, added that the noise from the exhaust pipes is unbearable, especially on his floor, which is directly opposite them. In many other shopping malls, exhaust pipes are built in the basement, and residents are questioning why they have been installed on Buangkok Square’s rooftop.
The Housing Development Board (HDB) has responded to the residents’ complaints, stating that the exhaust pipes comply with regulations. They explained that the site was studied before installation and no issues were found. The exhaust pipes were designed to face away from Buangkok Crescent, with a four-lane road separating them from Block 999B to prevent odours from seeping into residents’ homes. Despite these measures, and the regular maintenance works on the exhaust pipes by the F&B operators, the residents remain dissatisfied. The National Environment Agency’s inspections found no excessive odour emitting from the exhaust pipes, further complicating the situation.
The residents of Buangkok are actively seeking a solution. They are appealing to the authorities to remove the exhaust pipes from the rooftop of Buangkok Square Mall until a more permanent solution can be found. While the installation complies with regulations, the residents are adamant that the issue needs to be addressed. This case underscores the need to strike a balance between the economic benefits of having mall F&B outlets and the detrimental effects on residents’ health.
