Olen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Olen, the fine floating dust samples contain high concentrations of arsenic, especially within the area surrounded by Aurubis, a metal recycling firm. The company itself has a measuring station north of the site because the region’s subsoil contains oil and gas. Currently, Aurubis legally adheres to the standards outlined from the year but from the year 2030, the standards will be more stringent.
New measurements indicated the increased density of arsenic particles in the fine dust present in the air vicinity of the Aurubis enterprise for metal recycling in Olen, as reported by VRT.
The company is legally compliant with regard to arsenic emission (13 ng/m3 in 2024 in accordance with the EU 6 ng/m3 target), further, very stringent emission limits will apply in 2030. However, Aurubis has sought an extension in this regard, while local authorities are against it as they accuse the firm of not fulfilling various permit requirements in the management of dust emissions. Exploration is still ongoing in order to identify the sources of contamination.
Residents will not receive any specific advice for the time being.
“Residents do not have to worry right away. These are initial measurements. This means that further research must now follow at various measuring points to see whether this result is also confirmed elsewhere,”
says Marc Verhulst (O1), alderman for the Environment.
“More than a year ago, Aurubis was required in their permit to take measures to their scrap incinerator within a year. These measures had to prevent fine dust from escaping through all kinds of openings in the roof, doors and windows. They have not done so, but are now requesting an 18-month extension to put this in order.”
“With the poor results of the opinions, we have decided to advise negatively from the board of aldermen on this request for postponement. In other words, we want them to make sure that the arsenic can no longer escape. The permanent deputation of the province must ultimately make the decision. They will have to grant some postponement because nothing has happened yet. We do want a plan of action. Otherwise, nothing may have changed after 18 months. It concerns the health of our residents, and we do not want to allow too many compromises,”
Verhulst concludes.
What is the background of arsenic pollution near Aurubis in Olen?
Aurubis, a metal recycling company located in Olen, Belgium, has been accused of emitting heavy metals, including arsenic, for several years now. The site deals with scrap metals, and these can easily emit toxic dust when melted or burned. Monitoring results showed that in 2024, arsenic was at 13 ng/m³ that is significantly above the EU’s recommended threshold that stands at 6 ng/m³. Even though Aurubis adheres to current legal requirements on this respect, new, higher standards will be set in 2030 and this will become a legal requirement.
The monitoring station, which is located to the north of the firm, revealed high levels of arsenic in the finer particles of the airborne dust. Earlier conditions specified by the ministry included sealing all gaps, which could release dust, in the scrap incinerator at Aurubis; however, the company failed to meet the sixty-month ultimatum to carry out the modifications. It has now sought an 18-month extension to the deadline, which has elicited fierce resistance from Olen’s local government, saying more time is a threat to the health of the public.
In the past, many industrial sectors present in the region have posed some environmental issues to the extent that citizens and leaders called for increased regulation on pollution.
The Flemish authorities, where the city of Olen is located, will ultimately approve the extension of time requested by Aurubis. However, regulators insist on further testing as they only provide warnings when they find out the degree of contamination. From this case, it becomes apparent that businesses are always torn between production and compliance in light of the integration of the new enhanced air quality standards in Europe.
