The three unexplained deaths among employees at Northvolt’s battery factory in Skellefteå have raised concerns among Swedish researchers.
The professor of environmental medicine Karin Broberg is one of those who, despite the fact that investigations have been launched both by Northvolt and the police, are concerned that the investigation is taking time and believes that it is urgent to investigate a connection to the workplace.
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“Would take sick leave”
It is hoped that the investigations will clarify that no such connection exists. Until then, the precautionary principle should apply, according to Broberg – who himself would not want to work in the premises now.
– I would try to find another job or take sick leave.
– Now Northvolt is still running its business, but I think it should be closed until a proper investigation has been carried out.
At present, there is no clear cause behind the deaths. SVT has seen emails sent from one of the researchers to the police and Northvolt with alarms about possible dangerous substances to which the deceased could have been exposed.
Cannot claim protective stop
Peter Källman, who is a criminal inspector at the environmental crime unit and works with the investigation:
– I can’t just go in and close a factory. We have informed the Work Environment Agency and the Forensic Medicine Agency and are working on it as best we can.
The Chief Security Officer at Northvolt, Mikael Stenmark, says that they are currently unable to order a stop:
– The Working Environment Act does not support a protective stop just because we suspect something. We must have facts.
Northvolt: No one is at risk
According to Northvolt themselves, there is no reason to shut down production for safety reasons.
The company regrets that there may be concern among employees and believes that it is important that they feel secure that no one is exposed to risk. That’s what Emma Nerenheim, head of material production, says.
– We have looked at what these three people may have been exposed to. We find no connection and as we understand it, the police have not found any connection either. The connection between these incidents and our handling of chemicals is not at the level that there is reason to close production.
Common to the three deceased, who were found dead in their homes, is that no cause of death could be determined at autopsy. Now the Swedish Medical Examiner’s Office is looking specifically for chemicals used at the factory, writes the newspaper Arbetet.
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Three people have died in their homes after work shifts at Northvolt. In the video, you get a summary of the most important things that happened – in 60 seconds. Photo: SVT