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Several Cases of Illness at Steel Mill Construction Site in Northern Sweden
Several people have reported illness-like symptoms after working at the construction site of SSAB Svensk Stål AB's new steelworks in Luleå, and elevated levels of two different gases have been reported. The police currently report too great a risk to start technical investigations.
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About 20 people have reported illness-like symptoms in connection with groundworks at the construction site for the steel manufacturer SSAB's fossil-free steel plant in Luleå, Northern Sweden.
The steel company confirmed this in a press release on Wednesday. Both news outlets Sveriges Radio and SVT have covered the case over the past month.
The illness cases have been reported among employees of subcontractors, and some of these have sought medical attention.
Elevated levels of two gases
According to SSAB, the only measurements so far have shown elevated levels (levels exceeding the Swedish Work Environment Authority's limit values) inside a cab of a tractor doing excavation work.
These were recorded last week, and found elevated values of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. During these measurements, the operators used fan-assisted respiratory protective equipment.
To Sveriges Radio, chief physician Martin Andersson says that the two gases in question can affect health in various ways, but primarily affect the respiratory tract with symptoms such as a runny nose and burning in the mouth and throat.
Andersson emphasises, however, that there is still limited information about which substances and levels are involved.
Investigations initiated
SSAB stressed on Wednesday that they have initiated an expanded measurement program to identify the root cause of the symptoms.
"A safe work environment is the highest priority for SSAB. SSAB has expanded its program for sampling and measurements in air, soil and equipment/ machinery. This includes an increased number of measurement points as well as additional resources to allow testing for and analysis of additional substances, with the aim of clarifying the cause of the reported symptoms."
"Some measurements provide immediate results, while others require further analysis. SSAB will communicate verified information on an ongoing basis," the company further writes.
SSAB also states that all work at the construction site has been paused as a safety measure. Steel production at the existing Luleå site is proceeding as normal.
Risk around investigations
Furthermore, the Swedish Work Environment Agency and the Swedish police have also initiated investigations related to worker’s safety at the construction site.
Earlier this week, SVT reported that Swedish police have initiated preliminary investigations into breaches of the working environment, but have so far been unable to conduct any technical investigations.
The reason is said to be too much uncertainty about what is in the ground.
"Forensic experts assessed that it could be dangerous, and then there was uncertainty about whether the substances were so dangerous that they themselves could become ill," said the head of the preliminary investigation, Patrik Åström, to SVT.
He also added that those who have driven the vehicles have become ill, and some have ended up in hospital, but that they do not know more than that for now.
Billions invested in fossil-free
As HNN has reported earlier, SSAB is currently building a fossil-free steel plant in the northern Swedish city of Luleå.
This is planned to replace the current coal and blast furnace-based production system at the existing plant in Luleå, which is considered to account for Sweden's largest carbon emission.
