Results of Human Biomonitoring Hoboken
In 2023, a study was conducted to investigate the extent to which adolescents aged 14-16 living near the Umicore site in Hoboken are exposed to the metals lead, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as carbon or soot from traffic. This human biomonitoring (HBM) study involved 200 adolescents, and the results were compared with a Flemish reference group of 428 adolescents from a 2017-2018 study. The reference values from that earlier study were also used for this research.
The HBM study aimed to determine the extent to which the Umicore site in Hoboken influences metal exposure in the body. Umicore was a requesting party and co-financier, seeking a thorough understanding of the potential consequences of industrial and other activities in the area. This also included the site's request to expand the perimeter of the half-yearly lead-in-blood studies, which was implemented at the end of 2023.
Umicore considers the HBM study a valuable source of information for more targeted analysis of environmental measurements and for possibly adjusting or applying new improvement measures. The results show that there is not automatically a direct link between metal exposure in adolescents and solely the activities of the site. This is evident from the largely favorable environmental results and the varying exposure results of lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
The lead-in-blood values are on average higher than in the Flemish reference group but decrease with increasing distance from the factory – similar to the half-yearly studies of children living near the site. Cadmium values are lower compared to the reference group. For a certain form of arsenic, the value is higher.
The table below shows the average values for HBM Hoboken and the Flemish reference group, the reference values, and the comparison between the two groups separately against the reference values. The reference values are not related to the standards set by the Flemish government for the semi-annual lead-in-blood measurements in children aged 1-12 living near the site.
Explanation of the last column: 22% or 44 participants in HBM Hoboken have a lead-in-blood value higher than the reference value of 1.2 µg/dl (or: almost 80% have a value below the reference value). 12% or 51 participants in the Flemish reference group have a value above the reference value of 1.2 µg/dl (or: almost 90% have a value below the reference value). The data from the Flemish reference group always refer to measurements of all 428 participants. However, the number can vary, just as in the HBM Hoboken group of 200 adolescents.
| Metals | HBM Hoboken | Flemish reference group | Reference value | HBM vs reference group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | Average | Applicable for individual values, not averages | Percentage of participants with values above the reference value | |
| Lead (Pb) in blood | 0.86 µg/dl | 0.77 µg/dl | 1.2 µg/dl | 22% (44) vs 12% (51) |
| Arsenic (As) in urine | ||||
| DMA | 4.47 µg/l | 3.59 µg/l | Not available | Not available |
| MMA | 0.76 µg/l | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| As III | 0.46 µg/l | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| TRA | 6.44 µg/l | 5.11 µg/l | 6.4 µg/l | 33% (64) vs 26% (111) |
| Cadmium (Cd) in | ||||
| Blood | 0.15 µg/l | 0.19 µg/l | 1.7 µg/l | 0% (0) vs 0% (0) |
| Urine | 0.28 µg/l | 0.30 µg/l | 0.5 µg/l | 34% (66) vs 40% (171) |
The environmental results – emissions (measurements of concentrations in the air) and depositions (measurements of concentrations of settling dust) – show that the annual average concentrations for lead and cadmium at all locations were below the EU and WHO values. Arsenic was above the EU target value at the two monitoring stations close to the site on Curiestraat. This street is included in the green zone of approximately four hectares next to the site.
Moreover, factors ranging from diet to smoking, from lead-containing paint to old lead water pipes, play a role. The area has a history of 130 years of industry along the Scheldt, where various activities take place. The city of Antwerp has taken measures to reduce airborne dust, for example, during road and construction works at surrounding companies.
Together with the half-yearly lead-in-blood results, the HBM study helps us better understand how environmental exposure in the region, including the activities of Umicore, affects health. We remain committed to environmental improvements and work closely with governments and other stakeholders to ensure a healthy living environment.
The study was commissioned and funded by the Department of Health and the Department of Environment of the Flemish government, the city of Antwerp, the province of Antwerp, and Umicore. The research was conducted by the Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH), the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Hasselt University (UHasselt), and the University of Antwerp (UA).
The links to the study and other related documents can be found here (in Dutch)
Resultatenrapport HBM Hoboken - Full study
Samenvatting resultatenrapport HBM Hoboken - Summary Study