The concentration of lead in teenagers living in Hoboken and surrounding towns is 13% higher than the average in Flanders due to the activities of the Umicore plant. The results are being evaluated to see if the plant needs to take additional safety measures.
For the first time, lead was measured in the blood of teenagers living in the areas around the Umicore plant in Hoboken, a district of Antwerp. The concentration of lead was 13% higher than the average among youth in Flanders.
The results were in line with expectations, says researcher Elly Den Hond. “The arsenic levels were a mixed bag, and cadmium levels were actually lower than in the rest of Flanders,” she says. “But the lead levels are clearly high.”
High concentrations of lead has significant effects on health, particularly in children and young people. “It affects brain development, increases the chance of respiratory infections and results in behavioural problems,” says Den Hond.
The results are a clear signal to continue the measures for monitoring emissions, environmental pollution and exposure
Joris Moonens
Umicore in Hoboken recycles metals as well as processes electronic waste and industrial by-products to recover valuable metals. The plant has taken measures over the last few years to improve the environmental quality in the direct area. It bought up neighbouring homes to create a buffer area and invested in equipment to lower emissions.
People living in Hoboken, Hemiksem and Kruibeke are advised to wash their hands and brush their teeth thoroughly. They are also asked to mop their homes regularly and keep them well ventilated in order to decrease exposure to chemicals generated by the plant.
“The results are a clear signal to continue the measures for monitoring emissions, environmental pollution and exposure,” says Joris Moonens of Flanders’ health and care agency. “At the moment, no urgent additional interventions are needed. The results are now being further evaluated to see whether the current advice and measures need to be adjusted.”