The research presented in this article assessed geochemical factors relating to dust produced during primary lead smelting. Bulk dust samples and size-selective airborne dust samples were collected from four areas of a primary lead smelter and analyzed by X-ray diffraction and sequential chemical extraction. X-ray diffraction showed that the smelter dusts were composed primarily of sulfides, oxides, sulfates, and silicates of metal ores, with galena being the primary dust component. Sequential extraction revealed the solubility of lead compounds at less than 7% in the exchangeable and mildly acidic steps for the bulk dusts collected from four smelter areas. The later steps of the extraction procedure were more effective in dissolving the lead compounds associated with the bulk dust samples, with 43%, 26%, and 8% of the total lead, in the ore storage, sinter, and blast/dross smelter areas, respectively, being extracted in the residual step. Sequential extraction of coarse airborne dust samples from the ore storage and sinter plant showed that 1.2% and 4.1% of the total lead, respectively, was exchangeable. The finer particle size fractions from these areas of the smelter showed higher percentages of exchangeable lead. Of the course airborne dust from the blast/dross furnace processes, 65% of the total lead was exchangeable. However, the largest percentage of lead from these areas was associated with the finer particle-size fractions. If lead bioavailability is related to its solubility as determined through sequential extraction, the health hazards associated with lead exposure may be appreciably enhanced in the blast and dross furnace processes.ImagesFigure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4Figure 5Figure 6
The research presented in this artide assessed geochemical factors relating to dust pr d during primary lead smelting. Bulk dust samples and size-selective airborne dust samples were collected from four ar of a pimary lead smelter and analyz by X-ray diaction and sequential .chemical exrtion. X-ray di on showed that the smelter dusts were composed primarily of sulfides, oxides, sulfates, and silicates of meta ores, with galena being the primary dust component. Sequenti extraction revealed the solubility of lead compounds at less than 7% in the exchangeable and mildly acidic steps for the bull dusts collected from four smelter areas. The later steps of the extraction procedure were more effective in dissolving the lead compounds asociated with the bulk dust samples, witi 43%, 26%, and 8% ofthe total lead, in the ore storage, sinter, and blast/dross smelter areas, respectively, being extracted in the residual step.Sequential extraction of coarse airborne dust samples from the ore storage and sinter plant showed that 1.2% and 4.1% of the total lead, respecivey, was e ble. The finer partide size fractions from these areas ofthe smelter showed higher percentags ofexchanable lead. Of the course airborne dust from the blast/dross furnace processes, 65% of the total lead was exchangeable. However, the largest percentage of lead from these areas was associated with the finer particle-size fractions. If lead bioavailability is related to its solubility as determined though sequential e on, the health hazards associated with lead exposure may be appreciably enhanced in the blat and dross fuace processes.
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