Average blood lead levels drop further near Umicore site in Hoboken
Brussels, 3 June 2025 – The Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH) today announced the results of half-yearly measurements of lead in the blood of children living near Umicore's Hoboken site. The average blood lead level dropped to 2.05 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) this spring from 2.34 µg/dl in the fall of 2024.
Voluntary lead-in blood testing in the Moretusburg-Hertogvelden residential areas has been extended since the fall of 2023 to parts Visputten, Kapelstraat and Vinkevelden, northeast of the plant site. This extension, initiated partly at Umicore's request, is related to the green zone that has replaced part of the residential area previously adjacent to the site walls. The wider study area helps to provide a more complete understanding of potential lead exposures - and sources in the broader environment and to better assess the effectiveness of environmental measures on and around the site.
The children participating in the half-yearly measurements and their numbers vary every term. This time, a total of 264 children participated. Among children in the Moretusburg and Duke Fields neighborhoods, closest to the site, the average dropped to 2.29 µg/dl from 2.46 µg/dl in the fall. One child had a lead value above 10 µg/dl, compared to two children in the fall, one of whom was in the control group at the time.
"The continued decline in lead-in blood levels in children near our Hoboken site confirms the effectiveness of our ongoing commitment to a cleaner environment. Each year, we invest 25 million euros in innovative and industry-leading environmental projects to further support that progress.
At the same time, the expansion of the survey area and the surveys we conduct in homes at the request of local residents highlight the presence of more lead sources in this area - such as lead water pipes, lead-based paint and construction work. In a neighborhood with a rich industrial past, ultimately a concerted effort and responsibility is important for a sustainable solution."
Johan Ramharter, director of Umicore's Hoboken site
Table - overview results of the widened perimeter.
Because the exam is voluntary, the children and their numbers may vary and no accurate comparison can be made. The only way to determine if there is an improvement over time is if the same group of children participates in blood sampling multiple times.
| Lead-in-blood | Spring 2025 | Autumn 2024 | Spring 2024 |
| Nr of participating children vs total of children living in the area | 264 (38,5% of 686) | 258 (40.6% of 636) | 300 (43.9% of 684) |
| Average | 2,05 µg/dl | 2.34 µg/dl | 2.70 µg/dl |
| Controlegroup average | 1,69 µg/dl | 1.65 µg/dl | 2.20 µg/dl |
| % Children > 4 µg/dl | 4,6% | 8,2% | 14% |
| % Children < 2 µg/dl | 61.3% | 49,2% | 35,5% |
| Nr of children > 10 µg/dl | 1 | 2, of which 1 in the control group | 0 |
| Average Moretusburg-Hertogvelden | 2,29 µg/dl | 2,46 µg/dl | 2,96 µg/dl |
The prevention worker is in contact with families whose children with lead-in blood levels exceeding 4µg/dl. Families whose children have elevated levels can ask Umicore to have their homes tested for lead dust in their home and other lead sources, such as lead water pipes and lead-based paint, free of charge. In addition, Umicore offers to de-dust homes of local residents in connection with renovation projects.
Umicore's Hoboken site invests 25 million euros annually in environmental improvement projects. These focus on optimizing air from the production halls and further reducing windblown dust containing metal particles. The windblown dust is generated by logistics and production activities at the plant site where precious and critical metals are recycled.
These targeted initiatives -- such as air purification at the precious metals concentration facility, additional gas purification at the blast furnace facility, weather-dependent running of the site and hundreds of meters of windbreaks -- have demonstrated positive environmental performance results.
The construction of a new connecting road will also contribute to the environmental performance. Starting in 2026, this road will replace the Adolf Greinerstraat, which runs as a public road across the industrial site.
