SSAB rejects demands for a more thorough investigation of cases of illness in Luleå

- This is not about avoiding investigations, but about ensuring that the investigations that are actually carried out provide relevant answers, comments Martin Gidlund, communications manager for SSAB's transformation in Luleå.

Over the course of a few months, several cases of illness occurred at SSAB. Some of the symptoms were breathing problems, nosebleeds and chemical pneumonia.

SSAB's own explanation has been that it is a combination of weather, dust and viruses, which has been questioned by experts.

Unreasonable and expensive

The County Administrative Board's demand that SSAB conduct a more thorough investigation is ignored by SSAB.

Dagens Nyheter further writes that the company has investigated the possibility of conducting such investigations, but states in a reply to the county administrative board that they take a long time to do and are disproportionately expensive. A test can cost upwards of SEK 3.5 million, writes Dagens Nyheter.

SSAB's comment

On Wednesday evening, SSAB gives a written comment to SVT regarding Dagens Nyheter's information. Here is the answer in its entirety:

People's health and safety are always the highest priority for SSAB. This is not about avoiding surveys, but about ensuring that the surveys that are actually conducted provide relevant answers. Our opinion is that you first need to find out if dust from the operation reaches the surroundings and to what extent. If there is an exposure that warrants further analyses, we are prepared to discuss which investigations are relevant to carry out. This is the sequence we are arguing for. We believe that decisions about more far-reaching toxicological tests should be based on evidence that shows that there is an actual exposure to be investigated.

SVT is also looking for the county administrative board.