Umicore's position on cadmium in dust in houses in 4 municipalities
Umicore took note of the content of the article in Het Belang van Limburg paper on August 30 which referred to a university study in the scientific magazine "Environmental Research" according to which dust in houses in the municipalities of Lommel, Balen, Overpelt and Neerpelt contains almost three times as much cadmium as a nearby municipality, which served as a control group.
Umicore wishes to point out that the authorities, for many years now, have been offering the local population (notably via a recently revamped information booklet) useful tips on how to limit, to the greatest extent possible, contact with cadmium, both indoors and outdoors.
Umicore fully supports the cadmium-action plan adopted by the Flemish Government which calls for an accelerated clean-up in and around our production sites in Balen and Overpelt. Umicore -- in concert with the OVAM public waste authority and the Flemish authorities -- has committed itself to accelerate removing the zinc ashes used to harden the private driveways in the neighborhoods of Balen-Wezel and Overpelt-Cité. This clean-up will kick off in Overpelt next week (shortly followed thereafter by Balen) and is expected to be fully completed by the end of the year.
Umicore has been involved in the production of zinc for more than 100 years now: the company switched to a much more environmental-friendly production process several decades ago. Production of cadmium ceased in 2002, after the production of cadmium-containing materials was gradually phased out in the 1990s. Current measurements point to almost undetectable concentrations of cadmium in the ambient around our production sites.
Umicore on the way to sustainability