Rd. Putnam et al., THE FEASIBILITY OF PROCESSING LEAD-BASED PAINT ABATEMENT WASTES THROUGH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEAD SMELTERS, Environmental geochemistry and health, 16(3-4), 1994, pp. 159-165
This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of processing s
oil and lead-based paint (LBP) abatement waste through primary and sec
ondary lead smelting facilities. The main objectives were to determine
the compatibility of soil and LBP abatement waste with lead smelting
circuits; the costs associated with transporting and processing the ab
atement waste through a smelter; and a review of major environmental l
aws or regulations which may impact the lead smelting industry's abili
ty to carry out this process. While not all categories of LBP wastes a
re suited for reclamation through lead smelters, sufficient classes ar
e to make the effort worthwhile. Specifically, lead paint chips, dusts
, heatgun sludge, soils and certain blasting abrasives appear metallur
gically compatible with the lead smelting circuits. Additionally, ther
e do not appear to be any current regulatory statutes that forbid the
process from being carried out, so long as certain permit modification
s are obtained. Finally, the estimated smelting costs seem to compare
favourably with current treatment and disposal fees at approved landfi
lls. However, despite the promise of these initial findings, a great d
eal of work remains to be done if the concept of processing lead paint
wastes through lead smelters for reclamation is to become a reality.