The Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH) today announced the results of the semi-annual measurements of lead in the blood of children living near the Umicore site in Hoboken. The results show a decrease in lead-in-blood levels to an average of 2.34 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dl) compared to spring 2024 and autumn 2023.
This is the first full year of research that the measurements took place in a more extensive perimeter northeast of the plant in order to reach more children, partly at the request of Umicore. Since 1978, the studies have been carried out in the Moretusburg-Hertogvelden districts, closest to the site. With the relocations related to the arrival of the green zone next to the factory site, the Visputten, Kapelstraat and Vinkevelden sections have also been involved in the voluntary study since the autumn of 2023.
A total of 287 children participated in the measurements. For children in the Moretusburg and Hertogvelden districts, closest to the site, the average dropped to 2.46 μg/dl from 2.96 μg/dl.
“The further decrease in lead-in-blood levels in children in the vicinity of our site in Hoboken demonstrates the effectiveness of our long-standing environmental improvement measures and ongoing commitment. With an annual investment of 25 million euros in innovative environmental projects, we remain committed to a cleaner and safer living environment. The expansion of the research area and the studies we are conducting at the request of some local residents at home also show that in a historically industrial neighborhood such as Hoboken, there can be multiple possible sources of lead exposure, such as lead water pipes and other construction work. This underlines the importance of further and close cooperation between the parties involved to identify and jointly address all possible lead sources. By measuring more, we get a better picture and increases do not go unnoticed."
Johan Ramharter, director of Umicore site in Hoboken
Table - results of the first year of research with an extended scope
Because the study is voluntary, the children participating and their number may vary and no correct comparison can be made. When the same group of children participates in a blood test several times, it can be determined whether there is an improvement over time.
| Lead in blood | Autumn 2024 | Spring 2024 | Autumn 2023 |
| Participating children compared to the total number of resident children | 258 (40.6% van 636) | 300 (43.9% van 684) | 287 (45.0% van 639) |
| Average | 2.34 µg/dl | 2.70 µg/dl | 3.45 µg/dl |
| Control group mean | 1.65 µg/dl | 2.20 µg/dl | 1.97 µg/dl |
| Children > 4 µg/dl | 8.2% | 14.0% | 22.3% |
| Children > 2 µg/dl | 50.8% | 64.5% | 77.0% |
| Average Moretusburg / Hertogvelden | 2.64 µg/dl | 2.96 µg/dl | 3.85 µg/dl |
*µg/dl = micrograms per deciliter of blood
The prevention worker has contact with families with children with a lead-in-blood value higher than 4 μg/dl. Families whose children have an elevated value can call on Umicore to have their homes examined for possible lead sources free of charge. One of the prevention measures offered by Umicore is the removal of dust from the homes of local residents during renovation work
Umicore's Hoboken site invests approximately 25 million euros annually in environmental improvement projects. These projects mainly focus on the continuous reduction of blowing dust containing metal particles and the purification of the ambient air from the production halls. The dust is generated by logistics and production activities on the factory site where precious and other metals are recycled.
These initiatives have demonstrably positive effects on the environmental performance of the site. Recent projects such as the air purification at the precious metals concentration department and the additional gas purification at the blast furnace installation, and the weather-dependent operation of the site and the hundreds of meters of windshields make a contribution.
In addition, Umicore is developing a green zone of approximately five hectares next to the site in Moretusburg and adjacent to one hectare of green zone on the site itself. The green zone creates distance between the factory site and the residential area and is in the planting phase. Prior to this, the zone was supplemented with pure soil.
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