Concern is growing in Boden about what waste is being transported by truck from SSAB in Luleå to the recycling company NG Nordic. Mats Eriksson from Sävast raised the issue in a social media post, leading to many worried and critical comments. According to Piteå-Tidningen, Eriksson described trying to highlight the issue to spark a discussion about what happens with the waste from SSAB, noting that people are getting sick. The post has amplified public unease, with residents demanding transparency about the materials being moved into their municipality.
In response to the growing concern, both NG Nordic and Bodens kommun have stated that the masses pose no risk. However, transports of SSAB waste to the NG Nordic facility have been temporarily stopped. According to Kuriren, Annika Lorin, communicator at NG Nordic, described understanding the concern in Boden and taking it very seriously, adding that the company has not received any deliveries from SSAB for a while. The temporary halt has done little to allay fears, as residents question why the transports were stopped if the materials are indeed safe.
The excavated masses from SSAB's new industrial area in Luleå are currently being stored in Boden. A company in Boden, with a permit to handle hazardous waste, is storing the excavated masses from SSAB. Bodens kommun, as the supervisory authority, has reviewed sampling and information about the content of the masses. Despite these assurances, the specific contaminants in the excavated masses have not been disclosed, fueling further speculation and distrust among the public.
There have been several cases of illness at SSAB's new steel plant construction in Luleå. The excavated masses come from a different part of the SSAB area than where people have fallen ill, according to Bodens kommun. However, the public is worried that the waste causing illness is being moved to Boden, while the municipality claims it is from a different area. This discrepancy fuels distrust, as residents question the official narrative. The exact cause of the illnesses at the construction site remains unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the waste transports.
I understand the concern in Boden and we take it very seriously. We have not received any deliveries from SSAB for a while.
The situation has highlighted a broader tension between industrial development and community safety. Residents like Mats Eriksson have called for greater accountability, with Eriksson stating in a social media post that residents must be able to know the handling is safe, adding that not even SSAB knows what is being sent and that Boden should not be a chemical dump for industry. The quote reflects a deep-seated frustration that has resonated with many in the community.
As the debate continues, several unknowns remain. What specific contaminants are in the excavated masses? Why were the transports temporarily stopped? What caused the illnesses at the SSAB construction site? How long will the temporary halt last? And what is the exact location of the storage site in Boden? These unanswered questions have only intensified the public's demand for clarity and action.
Local authorities and companies involved have attempted to reassure the public, but the lack of detailed information has undermined their efforts. The temporary halt of transports, while perhaps intended to address concerns, has instead raised more questions. Residents are calling for independent testing of the masses and a full public disclosure of the sampling results.
The issue has also drawn attention to the broader implications of industrial waste management in the region. As SSAB expands its operations in Luleå, the question of where and how its waste is handled becomes increasingly critical. Boden, as a neighboring municipality, finds itself at the center of this debate, with residents demanding that their community not become a dumping ground for industrial byproducts.
In the coming weeks, the situation is likely to evolve as more information becomes available. The temporary halt of transports may be lifted, or it could become permanent if the concerns are not adequately addressed. For now, the people of Boden remain vigilant, watching closely to ensure that their health and environment are protected.