Battery production at Northvolt takes place with a range of substances and chemicals which in some cases are life-threatening for people. The substances are carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductively disruptive.
But now SVT can reveal that there were 47 accidents with the particularly dangerous chemicals. This is evident from Northvolt’s own ongoing registration of accidents, risks and incidents, as read by SVT.
– What is surprising about the list is the scope, says Karin Broberg, professor of occupational and environmental medicine.
Electrolyte one of the most dangerous chemicals
The list includes 16 accidents involving electrolyte, one of the most dangerous chemicals in the factory.
It appears from the register that personnel inhaled electrolyte vapor or got it on their hands, arms and wrists. In several cases, a hospital visit for a check-up is reported, but that everything went well.
From electrolyte to lithium ion batteries, under certain conditions, fluoride ions can be ingested. It can cause cardiac arrhythmias and eventually cause cardiac arrest.
However, Northvolt has previously said that the four deaths among off-duty personnel cannot be linked to workplace exposure. So far, the police, who are investigating the deaths, have not been able to determine that either.
Chemicals on hands and face
There have also been several accidents in cathode manufacturing. The mixture of chemicals NMP and NMC has sprayed, leaked and splashed. Staff have also received the most dangerous of the two – NMC – on their hands and face in powder form.
– There may be a risk of inhaling the dust, which can damage the lungs, says Karin Broberg.
NMC is described in Northvolt’s documentation as life-threatening if ingested via inhalation.
In order to determine how serious the risks are, according to Karin Broberg, you need to know what doses the people have been exposed to, which is not evident from the list.
– The overall impression of the list is that Northvolt has problems with chemical safety. There are great risks when starting new industries with new technology and hazardous substances. Companies need the help of expertise from the start, otherwise the green transition risks turning gray instead, says Karin Broberg.
Northvolt writes to SVT that “if we can’t work safely, we don’t work at all” and that the safety arrangements are rigorous. See the full response below.
November 8, 2022: “Put on gloves and noticed a burning sensation in one of the fingers, took the glove off after about 5 minutes and noticed that the finger was bluish with blisters.”
November 10, 2022: “I got electrolyte on my fingers.”
May 17, 2023: “Electrolyte-mixed water on the arm.”
August 28, 2023: “Inhalation of electrolyte vapors.”
October 17, 2023: “…when the PPE was removed, some slurry got on the operator’s cheek […] the operator began to feel dizzy.”
December 1, 2023: “NMC on hands when loading.”
1 December 2023: “NMC B on hands and face when loading […] The operator has previously been contaminated with NMC and experienced rashes and itching all over his body, and is now showing the same symptoms.”
December 18, 2023: “A person got NMP on his face and body when he checked tubes for NMP vapors that were supposed to be empty.”
June 2, 2024: “NMP splashed out and the operator got NMP on himself. She was wearing full PPE, but it still penetrated the butyl gloves.”
30 July 2024: “Exposure to electrolyte vapours.”
PPE: Personal protective equipment.
NMC: Powder mixture containing lithium, manganese, cobalt and nickel.
NMP: Toxic solvent.
Slurry: Mixture in liquid form of the chemicals NMC and NMP.
The Swedish Work Environment Agency is investigating several accidents at Northvolt and therefore cannot comment on the accidents on the list.