SSAB rejects toxicology tests after 34 illness reports
SSAB has rejected a request for advanced toxicology tests after 34 illness reports at the construction site for its new Luleå steelworks, arguing that the tests would be too costly and slow.
Listen to this articleNarrated - 9:12
The county authority had asked the company to investigate vanadium and calcium hydroxide in previously collected material. Dagens Arbete reports that SSAB called the demand unjustified and disproportionate to its value. The company said one type of test could cost up to 3.5 million SEK and take 16 weeks, and argued that workplace demands belong to the Work Environment Authority.
The County Administrative Board says it oversees environmental protection and community safety, has conducted air measurements around nearby homes and can require further investigations if risks emerge. It says it is coordinating with other authorities.
SSAB initially reported around 20 subcontractor workers with illness-like symptoms. In May, the company said it found no measurements above current limits and blamed fine dust combined with low humidity and seasonal respiratory viruses before restarting work. The county authority has challenged whether vanadium and calcium hydroxide were adequately examined.
DailySweden
DailySweden's desk of editors, reporters, researchers and investigative journalists. We bring readers factual, truthful and objective reporting on the issues that matter to them.
Contact the editorial desk ›
