Characterization of lead-recycling facility emissions at various workplaces: Major insights for sanitary risks assessment

Abstract

Most available studies on lead smelter emissions deal with the environmental impact of outdoor particles, but only a few focus on air quality at workplaces. The objective of this study is to physically and chemically characterize the Pb-rich particles emitted at different workplaces in a lead recycling plant. A multi-scale characterization was conducted from bulk analysis to the level of individual particles, to assess the particles properties in relation with Pb speciation and availability. Process PM from various origins were sampled and then compared; namely Furnace and Refining PM respectively present in the smelter and at refinery workplaces, Emissions PM present in channeled emissions. These particles first differed by their morphology and size distribution, with finer particles found in emissions. Differences observed in chemical composition could be explained by the industrial processes. All PM contained the same major phases (Pb, PbS, PbO, PbSO(4) and PbO·PbSO(4)) but differed on the nature and amount of minor phases. Due to high content in PM, Pb concentrations in the CaCl(2) extractant reached relatively high values (40 mg L(-1)). However, the ratios (soluble/total) of CaCl(2) exchangeable Pb were relatively low (<0.02%) in comparison with Cd (up to 18%). These results highlight the interest to assess the soluble fractions of all metals (minor and major) and discuss both total metal concentrations and ratios for risk evaluations. In most cases metal extractability increased with decreasing size of particles, in particular, lead exchangeability was highest for channeled emissions. Such type of study could help in the choice of targeted sanitary protection procedures and for further toxicological investigations. In the present context, particular attention is given to Emissions and Furnace PM. Moreover, exposure to other metals than Pb should be considered.

DECA: A new model for assessing the foliar uptake of atmospheric lead by vegetation, using Lactuca sativa as an example

“…Their total elemental contents were determined by ICP-OES IRIS Intrepid II XXDL after heat digestion. Lead was the main metal found in the factory emissions (33.4%), and the other metal contents were Cd, Sb, As, Cu, and Zn at 2.7, 1.8, 0.09, 0.09, and 0.7%, respectively (Uzu et al, 2011a). Industrial atmospheric fallouts in the smelter courtyard were measured using plastic Owen gauges that enable wet and dry atmospheric depositions to be recorded (Taylor and Witherspoon, 1972).…”

“…As PM reactivity (in terms of bioavailability, ecotoxicity and toxicity) is very high compared to coarse emissions (Ruby et al, 1996), there are environmental (Uzu et al, 2010;Schreck et al, 2011) and sanitary (Uzu et al, 2011a(Uzu et al, , 2011b concerns over this phenomenon. In 2007, 4800 and 108 tonnes of lead were released into the atmosphere in Europe and France, respectively (CITEPA, 2011), mainly as PM emitted by acid battery recycling and lead production (Batonneau et al, 2004;Ettler et al, 2005;Uzu et al, 2010).…”

Behavior and Impact of Zirconium in the Soil–Plant System: Plant Uptake and Phytotoxicity

“…Because of the large number of sites they pollute, toxic metals that contaminate terrestrial ecosystems are increasingly of environmental and sanitary concern (Uzu et al 2010(Uzu et al , 2011Shahid et al 2011aShahid et al , b, 2012a . Among such metals is zirconium (Zr), which has the atomic number 40 and is a transition metal that resembles titanium in physical and chemical properties (Zaccone et al 2008 ) .…”

Use of ecotoxicity test and ecoscores to improve the management of polluted soils: case of a secondary lead smelter plant

“…1) were therefore collected in the courtyard of the Chemical Metal Treatments Society (STCM), a secondary lead smelter which currently recycles batteries located in the urban area of Toulouse (43 • 38 ′ 12 ′′ N, 01 • 25 ′ 34 ′′ E). This plant was chosen because of its activity and urban location, and many data are already available [1,[4][5][6]30]. These data allowed defining different areas in terms of environmental and sanitary risks that can vary according to past and present activities.…”