Average blood lead levels rise slightly in the vicinity of Umicore in Hoboken but remain within the norm
The Provincial Institute for Hygiene (PIH) today announced the results of its six-monthly measurements of lead in the blood of children living near the Umicore site in Hoboken. This fall, the average blood lead level rose to 2.51 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) from 2.05 µg/dl in the spring of 2025.
This is within the average norm of 3 µg/dl linked to the site's environmental permit.
It was the fifth time that voluntary blood lead tests had been carried out in the extended perimeter northeast of the site. Since the fall of 2023, this comprises in addition to the residential areas of Moretusburg-Hertogvelden, the areas of Visputten, Kapelstraat, and Vinkevelden.
The extension is partly in response to a request from Umicore and relates to the green zone on the site of a former residential area adjacent to the site walls. Moreover, the children and the number participating in the measurements vary each time. The larger study area provides a more complete picture of possible lead exposure, including sources in the wider environment. This also helps Umicore better assess the effectiveness of environmental measures on and around the site.
This time, a total of 252 children, or 36 percent, participated, which is lower than in previous measurements. Among children in the Moretusburg and Hertogvelden neighborhoods, closest to the site, the average rose to 2.92 µg/dl from 2.29 µg/dl in the spring. No child had a lead level above 10 µg/dl, compared to one child in the spring.
"Although we are seeing a slight increase in average blood lead levels in children living near our site, these remain within legal limits. The environmental results for lead in fine particulate matter fluctuate around historically low levels. This shows our environmental improvement projects and efforts are working. We continue to invest and focus on further improvement and advocate for a scientifically sound and workable framework that creates a level playing field for industry in Flanders."
"We therefore make an appeal: the more children take part in these studies, the more data we have to assess the impact of our site on the surrounding area. These insights also help identify other potential sources of lead in this industrial neighborhood with a long history. Our offer to conduct additional research at home, such as checking for lead pipes and lead-based paint, remains in place. With a comprehensive approach, any increases will not go unnoticed, allowing all parties involved to take targeted action."
Johan Ramharter, director of the Umicore site in Hoboken
Table – Overview of results from the expanded perimeter
Given that participation in the monitoring program is voluntary, the number of children may vary, making an exact comparison impossible. Only when the same group of children takes part in multiple blood tests can we determine whether there is an improvement over time.
Lead-in-blood |
Autumn 2025 |
Spring 2025 |
Autumn 2024 |
Spring 2024 |
| Participating children vs. total resident children | 252 (36% out of 700) | 264 (38.5% out of 686) | 258 (40.6% out of 636) | 300 (43.9% out of 684) |
| Average | 2.51 µg/dl | 2.05 µg/dl | 2.34 µg/dl | 2.70 µg/dl |
| Control group average | 1.81 µg/dl | 1.69 µg/dl | 1.65 µg/dl | 2.20 µg/dl |
| % of children > 4 µg/dl | 11.1% | 4.6% | 8.2% | 14% |
| % of children < 2 µg/dl | 44% | 61.3% | 49.2% | 35.5% |
| Number of children > 10 µg/dl | 0 | 1 | 2, of whom 1 in the control group | 0 |
| Average Moretusburg-Hertogvelden | 2.92 µg/dl | 2.29 µg/dl | 2.46 µg/dl | 2.96 µg/dl |
The prevention advisor contacts families with children whose blood lead level exceeds 4 µg/dl. They can request Umicore to inspect their home free of charge for the presence of lead-containing dust and other sources of lead, such as lead water pipes and lead-based paint. In addition, Umicore offers to remove dust from homes of local residents during renovation works.
The Umicore site in Hoboken invests €25 million annually in environmental improvement projects. These focus on optimizing air quality in production halls and further reducing windblown dust containing metal particles. This dust is generated by logistics and production activities on the plant site where precious and critical metals are recycled. These targeted initiatives have demonstrably positive effects on environmental performance.
This year, Umicore completed the creation of an enclosed green zone of approximately five hectares next to the site. The zone creates a clear separation between the site and the Moretusburg residential area. The construction of a new connecting road will also contribute to environmental performance. Starting mid-2026, this road will replace Adolf Greinerstraat, which currently runs as a public road through the plant site. During the summer months, Umicore installed additional wind screens to further limit dust dispersion and is now in the preparatory phase of a permit application for a major planned investment in a hydrometallurgical facility that will further reduce dust emissions in the future.
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