While the blast furnaces at the site closed in July 1997, the neighbourhood has historically accommodated the ambient noise and dust associated with industrial activity. However, representatives from the Bruch neighbourhood interest group assert that the situation has worsened significantly in recent years, particularly during nighttime hours.
The permitted noise limit for the entire plant during the night stands at 45 decibels. Concerns have been raised regarding noise levels exceeding this threshold. Residents have carried out their own measurements and assert that values often surpass 60 and 70 decibels, rendering it nearly impossible to sleep peacefully.
Christiane Wagner, a resident who moved back to Esch-sur-Alzette in 1995, reflects on the change: “Back in the day, I had the windows open because the noise from the blast furnaces was pleasant; it was part of Esch. Now you can’t do that anymore because you’re constantly disturbed in your sleep.”
Residents have endured this issue for over two decades, but a recent surge in dissatisfaction has prompted action. Francis Hengen from the neighbourhood interest group highlights past efforts to report concerns to the environmental office in Esch. However, the perceived lack of tangible results has led to a decline in complaints over time, creating a sense of frustration. Hengen argues for more proactive measures from environmental authorities to address the persistent noise disturbances and create meaningful resolutions.
According to local residents, the noise emanating from ArcelorMittal becomes particularly pronounced when the wind blows from the west. Alongside noise, residents highlight an ongoing issue with dirt and dust, creating an additional layer of frustration.
Brenda Biltgen-Hansen, another local resident, describes the tangible impact of the situation on her daily life: “I remember my mum used to clean the windows, and then the windows were clean all summer. I clean the windows, and three days later, there’s this nasty dust on them. It’s not fun having to do the same job over and over again.”
In response to enquiries from our colleagues at RTL Télé, ArcelorMittal acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents. The company stated, “We are currently working on setting up a governance structure (more precisely, on reactivating a governance structure that existed but was suspended at the time of Covid-19), to discuss with our stakeholders (local authorities, local residents’ associations) the nuisance issues raised.”
ArcelorMittal asserts its commitment to investigating each report from local residents, providing a written response outlining past corrective measures and proposed actions.
In addition, the company has scheduled a meeting for the end of January with representatives from the Bruch neighbourhood, the Environment Agency, and the municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette. The agenda includes discussions on short-term corrective measures and long-term strategies to address the persisting concerns.
As such, ArcelorMittal prefers to “wait until this meeting at the end of January is held before making any public statements.”
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
