Seven hospitalised after gas alarm at steelworks site

Work at SSAB’s new electric steelworks in Luleå was halted on Wednesday after a gas alarm. Seven workers sought medical attention, bringing the total number of reported illness cases at the site to around 35 since February.

A portable gas detector flagged hydrogen cyanide at SSAB’s new electric steelworks construction site in Luleå, Sweden. Seven workers were taken to hospital and work was halted immediately.

All seven have since been discharged, apart from one person who reportedly had a headache.

“In accordance with our procedures, we always stop ongoing work when portable gas detectors are triggered. SSAB’s fixed gas monitors have not been able to confirm abnormal levels at the site,” SSAB communications officer Emmy Arebo told SVT.

The incident is the latest in a string of health concerns at the site. Around 35 cases of illness of varying severity have been reported since February, and it is the second time in a short period that a portable detector has flagged hydrogen cyanide.

SSAB says extensive testing has found nothing beyond normal threshold levels. However, the company has refused a request from the County Administrative Board to carry out toxicological testing of dust at the site.