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Blood lead levels in children living in the vicinity of Umicore down again
Press release on behalf of the Hoboken Environment & Health Working Group*
The blood lead levels of children living in the vicinity of Umicore's Hoboken site have being monitored since 1978. This spring, an average lead value of 2.70 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) was measured in the study area, which was first enlarged since the fall of 2023. This is a sharp decrease compared to the fall 2023 survey (3.45 µg/dl). This time there were no children with levels higher than 10 µg/dl. All stakeholders continue to take measures to minimize the impact of heavy metals on the neighborhood.
New decrease in average blood lead levels
Also this spring, the Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH) conducted a blood test of children on behalf of the Flemish government's Department of Care. The test involved children aged 1 to 12 years living in the area of Umicore's site in Hoboken.
It is the second time that the study was conducted in a wider area, namely in the neighborhoods of Moretusburg, Hertogvelden, Visputten, Vinkenvelden and Kapelstraat. For the first time, the results of this survey can now be compared with previous results from the fall 2023 survey.
A total of 300 children participated out of 684 living in the study area. The average blood lead level in these children was 2.70 µg/dl. This is a sharp decrease from the fall 2023, when the average lead value was at 3.45 µg/dl. The highest values were measured in children living closest to the Umicore site (Moretusburg and Hertogvelden). Continuous monitoring remains important to protect their health. This time, no child had a value of above 10 µg/dl, contrasting with 11 children in the fall of 2023.
Following the increased level in fall 2023, the Hoboken Environment & Health Working Group investigated possible explanations for this reading. Several avenues were explored. The research report and a summary with recommendations are available online (in Dutch).
Air Quality
The readings from the Flemish Environment Agency show that the annual averages for lead, arsenic and cadmium in particulate matter for 2023 were similar to the 2022 results. In 2023, both the EU limit value for lead and the target values for cadmium and nickel were met. The target level for arsenic was exceeded at two monitoring sites.
The first three months of 2024 show similar results. The measuring station on Curiestraat showed a short-lived, sharp increase in airborne lead due to road works in the immediate vicinity of the measuring station in early March (see previous press release). To limit and monitor such high dust concentrations the city of Antwerp took additional measures for the carrying out of public and private ground and utility works.
In 2023, slightly more lead in falling dust (coarser dust fraction) was measured at Curiestraat compared to 2022. The average of the four other measurement sites shows a decrease in lead, however. In the first four months of 2024, there is a slight decrease in lead in deposited dust.
Because not all air quality targets are met, all stakeholders continue to take measures to further reduce heavy metal impacts. For example, the environmental permit for Umicore's Hoboken site prescribes conditions to be met in the coming years in terms of heavy metal emissions, air quality standards and maximum lead-in-blood values.
Human biomonitoring study (HBM)
The broader HBM study that includes measurements of other heavy metals on 200 young people living within a 3-kilometer radius of Umicore's site is ongoing. The final report is expected at the end of 2024.
Umicore measures
Umicore's Hoboken site invests around €25 million a year in environmental improvement projects. The measures primarily focus on further reducing windblown dust containing metal particles and further treating ambient air from the production halls.
The airborne dust is caused by logistics and production activities at the plant site where precious and other metals are recycled. The most recent environmental improvement measure is the commissioning of an additional air cleaner at the precious metals concentration department to further reduce the risk of dust dispersion from the building.
In addition, Umicore in Hoboken is considering installing wind screens near the blast furnace facility to reduce windblown dust, in addition to the 220 meters of wind screens installed along the Scheldt River in 2023.
Umicore is also offering support to local residents. Families whose children have elevated lead-in blood levels can ask Umicore to have their homes checked for possible lead sources free of charge. For example, some lead water piping and lead-based paint were found during these screenings. In addition, Umicore offers to remove dust from homes during renovation work and funds a childcare program for children from Moretusburg and Duke Fields during school vacations.
Neighborhood prevention
Residents in the Hoboken study area can contact prevention worker Liesbet De Groot by phone at 0489 95 10 54 or at liesbet.degroot@logoantwerpen.be.
The prevention worker informs local residents about:
- finger prick tests
- offer of cost-free investigation of possible lead sources in homes and/or examination of tap water to rule out possible lead water pipes
- tips to protect oneself from pollution
- info on professional house cleaning
- info about the financial allowance for care support
- info about the leisure offer during the summer
All information about the measurement results, actions against pollution and precautions to take are also on www.antwerpen.be/zware-metalen-in-hoboken.
Information moments for citizens
Citizens can participate in two information moments:
Online info moment
- Friday, June 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Via www.infomomenthoboken.be
Physical information moment
- Monday, June 10, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
- Youth and cultural center Gravenhof, Louisalei 7, 2660 Hoboken
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[*] Press release on behalf of the working group Environment & Health Hoboken which is chaired by Governor Cathy Berx and consists of: city of Antwerp, Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH), Flemish government services (Department of Care, Flemish Environment Agency, OVAM, AHH, Opgroeien), Umicore, schools and centers for pupil guidance, general practitioners of Hoboken, district of Hoboken, local health consultation Antwerp and Waasland.
Information on specific topics (in Dutch)
- Semi-annual blood tests
- Human biomonitoring Hoboken
- Research report statements higher blood levels fall 2023
- Urban police ordinance
- Air measurements
- Hoboken l Umicore Belgium
- Neighborhood operation report
Press contacts
- Semi-annual blood tests and HBM:
Carmen Franken - Carmen.Franken@provincieantwerpen.be - 03 259 12 62 - Air measurements - Flemish Environment Agency:
Katrien Smet - k.smet@vmm.be - 0473 99 28 70