Lead reduction in ambient air: technical feasibility and cost analysis at domestic primary lead smelters and refineries. Minerals data analysis report

The Bureau of Mines evaluated the technology and capital investment and annual operating costs of emission control for further reductions of lead in ambient air at the Glover, Herculaneum, and Buick smelter-refineries in Missouri and the East Helena, MT, smelter. The study seeks to analyze the technology available to the domestic primary lead industry for attempting to further reduce lead emissions below 1985 levels. Through enclosure of concentrate unloading and handling areas and all lead processing buildings, followed by venting these enclosures to the atmosphere through baghouses and the application of appropriate local controls, lead inventories can theoretically be reduced by 2,424 pounds per day from 1985 levels.