Exceptionally high concentrations of lead in fine particulate matter near Umicore's Hoboken site

On March 1 and 5, 2024, exceptionally high concentrations of lead in fine particulate matter were measured close to Umicore's Hoboken site. The cause of these high levels may have been road works where unexpectedly a bed of historical residual metallurgical products was encountered. The Healthcare Department does not expect acute health effects as a result of these high daily peak levels. 

Umicore's Hoboken site in March recorded elevated average levels of lead in particulate matter at one of its monitoring stations in the Moretusburg neighborhood. Exceptionally high concentrations of lead in fine dust were measured on March 1 and 5. Umicore informed the Flemish Environment Agency (Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, VMM) of its measurement results, which VMM then confirmed based on data from their own measurement stations at the corner of Curiestraat with Statuestraat in the Moretusburg neighborhood of Hoboken. 

On March 1, 9422 ng/m³ of lead in particulate matter was measured, the highest reading since measurements began in 2002. On March 5, VMM still measured 2223 ng/m³, a value 3 times above the maximum daily value of 2023 (618 ng/m³). 

The annual sliding average of lead in fine suspended particulate matter nevertheless remains below the limit value of 500 ng/m³. Normal monthly averages were observed for lead in fine particulate matter at Umicore's other two monitoring sites in the area. Results for lead in coarse particulate matter also showed no increase for March.

Historical pollution during road works source of high values 

The cause of the elevated concentrations of lead in particulate matter may have been road works for the construction of Umicore's future green zone next to their site, close to the measuring station on Curiestraat. During the road works, the works probably encountered a bed of historical residual metallurgical products. Following this observation, the works were promptly temporarily halted and covered up. The materials were disposed of with additional dust control measures.

No acute health risks 

The Healthcare Department does not expect acute health effects from these high daily peak levels. Daily lead exposure does have the potential for long-term effects and therefore should be kept as low as possible. For this reason, it remains important to avoid occasional peak values such as those on March 1 and 5. 

Joris Moonens of the Department of Health Care: "We expect awareness and a sense of responsibility, not only permanently from the company and its contractor but also from all other contractors to do everything possible to avoid dust dispersion as much as possible during road or construction work in Hoboken." 

The city of Antwerp already took measures late last year regarding the further analysis and approach to dust pollution in the wide region around the Umicore site. The city will of course continue to strictly monitor the necessary measures that contractors must take to avoid dust nuisance. 

It equally remains important for local residents to keep in mind the tips to limit contact with heavy metals. The prevention worker in the neighborhood can help them in this regard. 

Actions to limit the impact of pollution 

The Working Group Environment & Health Hoboken continues to take action with all partners involved to further investigate and address the problem of historical pollution in the vicinity of Umicore and its impact on the health of local residents. 

The ongoing finger prick tests on children are mapping the evolution of exposure to heavy metals. By the end of 2024, the results of the human biomonitoring study in adolescents will be known. The last 3 months have also been spent seeking explanations for the elevated lead-in blood levels from the latest blood tests in children. These results and recommendations are expected in June. 

Umicore's Hoboken site continues to take measures to minimize emissions of metals into the environment. To prevent dust from its industrial operations, Umicore adapts its logistics operations and optimizes its processes and installations.

Information on the environmental and health-related actions taken by Umicore's Hoboken site can be found at https://www.umicore.be/nl/our-sites/hoboken/milieu-en-gezondheid/.

Neighborhood action 

Residents in the neighborhoods close to Umicore can contact prevention worker Liesbet De Groot on tel. 0489 95 10 54 or at liesbet.degroot@logoantwerpen.be. The prevention worker informs local residents about: 

• blood tests
• tips to protect against pollution
• professional cleaning of homes
• financial assistance with care support
• leisure activities during the summer for children from the Moretusburg and Hertogvelden neighborhoods. 

Information on actions against pollution and precautions citizens can take are also at https://www.antwerpen.be/zware-metalen-in-hoboken.

Katrien Smet
Vlaamse Milieu
maatschappijk.smet@vmm.be   |  0473 99 28 70

Caroline Jacobs
Media Relations Manager Umicore
Caroline.Jacobs@eu.umicore.com   |  0473 52 50 70

Joris Moonens
Woordvoerder Gezondheid Departement Zorg
joris.moonens@vlaanderen.be   |  0475 82 93 41

Dirk Delechambre
Woordvoerder stad Antwerpen
dirk.delechambre@antwerpen.be   |  0475 63 65 65