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Higher average blood lead levels in wider research area around Umicore’s metals recycling plant in Hoboken, Belgium

The Belgian Provincial Institute of Hygiene (PIH) announced the results of six-monthly blood lead measurements among children living near the Umicore metals recycling site in Hoboken, Belgium. Until earlier this year, the blood tests were carried out on children living in the adjacent neighborhoods of Moretusburg and Hertogvelden. Now for the first time, the blood tests took place in a wider area northeast of the site and thus with a higher number of children.

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Umicore’s Hoboken recycling site.


Among the children in Moretusburg and Hertogvelden, where the tests took place throughout all previous years, the average blood lead level was 3.85 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl), exceeding 2.07 µg/dl in spring 2023, which was the lowest level ever measured in those neighborhoods.

In the study area added this autumn, the average was 3.2 µg/dl, and in the area as a whole, 3.45 µg/dl. A total of 287 children participated, of which 10 children had lead levels above 10 µg/dl, and one child had lead levels above 20 μg/dl.

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Evolution of average lead levels in μg/dl in children in the districts Moretusburg and Hertogvelden since the measurement campaign in 2000. Source: PIH


To us, the results of this first comprehensive blood lead study are disappointing, worrying and inexplicable. They do not square with the data from the fallout dust that both Umicore and the Flemish Environment Society have been measuring and analyzing at and around the site for years. Nor do they match our sustained environmental efforts that have consistently reduced emissions further within legal norms and the overall downward trend in blood lead results that translated into the lowest ever measured value this spring.

We are reaching out to various stakeholders in this complex matter to work with authorities and experts in setting up a study for this wider area and involve data beyond just our data on our site. Once again, we are committed, together with the prevention worker, to assist the parents of the children with elevated values with the necessary support.

—Johan Ramharter, director of Umicore's Hoboken site

Prevention workers are in touch with families with children with blood lead levels higher than 4µg/l. Families whose children have elevated levels can call on Umicore to have their homes tested for possible lead sources free of charge. Umicore funds a childcare offer during school holidays and environmental and health measures in schools and childcare centers.

Umicore has been asking for more children to be tested by expanding the survey area and measuring beyond Moretusburg and Hertogvelden.

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Extension of the screening perimeter. Source: PIH, Umicore.


As participation in the biannual blood lead tests is voluntary, both the composition of children and the number who participate vary. As a result, an accurate comparison cannot be made, as would be the case when the same group of children participates in a blood test several times and so determine whether there is an improvement over time. In addition, the number of children examined in the former study area decreased due to the future green zone and associated relocations. The current extension to Visputten, Kapelstraat and Vinkevelden provides more data.

The Umicore site in Hoboken is one of the world’s largest precious metals refiners, offering recycling and refining services for precious-metal-bearing materials such as by-products from industry, electronic scrap and spent industrial and automotive catalysts.

Umicore recovers 17 different metals, among which are seven precious metals as well as some base and minor metals, one of which is lead.

For several decades, the blood levels of children living close to the plant have been monitored twice per year. In July 2020 the readings of the children living close to the Umicore recycling plant in Hoboken, Belgium, showed elevated levels of lead in their blood after multiple years of steady decreases, with historically low levels in 2019. Although the root cause investigation showed no major direct source of lead emissions in the plant, Umicore is aware that the risks associated with lead need to be well-managed at all times.

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