Characterization of airborne heavy metals within a primary zinc-lead smelting works.

w An investigation of airborne Pb, Zn, and Cd was conducted within the workplace environment a t an important pyrometallurgical zinc-lead smelter. Particle size distributions for the metals were obtained by using cascade impactors, and chemical species were identified by X-ray powder diffraction spectrometry. The results are interpreted in terms of the various operations occurring within the works. The techniques employed are shown to be of value for the identification ,of emission sources in industrial atmospheres.