Erythrocyte Index Levels in Metal Smelters Based on Literature Studies

The metal smelting industry tends to have high air Pb levels exceeding the threshold determined by the CDC is 100 g/m3. The smelting dust particles are Pb and SO2 circulating in the air along with combustion fumes is very possible to be inhaled by metal smelters who do not wear proper personal protective equipment. High levels of Pb The air inhaled by metal smelters can affect the health level of workers, one of which is the disruption of the erythropoiesis process which can cause abnormal erythrocyte index levels. This study aims to determine the description of erythrocyte index levels in metal smelters based on literature studies. This research is an observational qualitative research through a literature review approach, with data collection methods that use secondary data from several related scientific journals. Secondary data analysis is descriptive and presented in tabular form. Based on the results of research from three related scientific journals, the average level of the erythrocyte index in metal smelting workers is normochromic normocytic with an average length of work of more than 3.89 years, workers who smoke as much as 78% and those who do not smoke as much as 22%, workers who using PPE as much as 56% and 44% who do not use PPE.

Detoxification of Arsenic-Containing Copper Smelting Dust by Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Technology

A large amount of arsenic-containing solid waste is produced in the metallurgical process of heavy nonferrous metals (copper, lead, and zinc). The landfill disposal of these arsenic-containing solid waste will cause serious environmental problems and endanger people’s health. An electrochemical advanced oxidation experiment was carried out with the cathode modified by adding carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) emulsion. The removal rate of arsenic using advanced electrochemical oxidation with the modified cathode in 75 g/L NaOH at 25 °C for 90 min reached 98.4%, which was significantly higher than 80.69% of the alkaline leaching arsenic removal process. The use of electrochemical advanced oxidation technology can efficiently deal with the problem of arsenic-containing toxic solid waste, considered as a cleaner and efficient method.

Effect of Metal Oxides and Smelting Dust on SO2 Conversion to SO3

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of metal oxides and smelting dust on the formation of sulfur trioxide during copper, lead, zinc smelting process and flue. Focusing on the effects of SO2 concentration, O2 concentration, and temperature on SO2 oxidation conversion rate under homogeneous test conditions, and under various metal oxide oxidation conditions, further in dust (mainly electric dust removal ash in copper, lead, zinc smelting process), which were studied by single factor experiment test. The results showed that the effect of heterogeneous catalytic oxidation on SO2 conversion rate is much greater than that of pure gas phase oxidation. The addition of five pure metal oxides such as Fe2O3, CuO, Al2O3, ZnO, and CaO obviously promoted the SO2 conversion rate under different conditions. At different temperatures, the ability of metal oxides to promote SO2 conversion is ranked: Fe2O3 > CuO > CaO > ZnO > Al2O3. The catalytic oxidation of copper, lead, and zinc smelting dust to SO2 conversion rate was studied, and the conclusion was drawn that the metal oxides that promoted SO2 conversion rate in copper smelting dust were Fe2O3, Al2O3, ZnO, CaO, and the main substance was Fe2O3; the metal oxides that promoted SO2 conversion in zinc smelting dust were Fe2O3, Al2O3, ZnO, CaO, CuO, and the main substances were Fe2O3 and ZnO; the metal oxides that promoted SO2 conversion rate in lead smelting dust were Fe2O3. Whether metal oxides or copper, zinc, lead smelting dust in the experiment, Fe2O3 displayed the strongest catalytic oxidation capacity.

Processing of Anthropogenic Waste of Smelters of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company

The industrial sites of the smelters of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company have accumulated a lot of anthropogenic waste, the processing of which is currently economically impractical. These primarily include tailings and beneficiation tailings, as well as waste granulated and copper smelting slag. This article conducts studies on technologies for x-ray-radiometric/magnetic separation enrichment of discard slags of MMSK as well as using jigging machines. Slag and slag enrichment tailings are used for cement production and road construction. For complex processing of fine copper smelting dusts OJSC Chelyabinsk zinc plant developed, tested and implemented a special technology. After implementation of ”Actions to process industrial waste generated by UMMC enterprises at metallurgical enterprises of UMMC-Holding Corp.”, the following were noted: concentrators and special beneficiation facilities process slag; R&D on complete processing of concentrator’s tailings was conducted; smelting dust was not stored but processed in full; the technology of implementing Waelz process for processing of steel smelting dust has been developed and commercially tested; the technology for extraction of copper and precious metals from pyrite dross is to be improved. Keywords: anthropogenic waste, dust, tailings, slag, pyrite dross

Acute and Chronic Effects of Aluminum Smelter Dust on Hematology, Metal Bioaccumulation and Oxidant-antioxidant Status in Rat

Background: Aluminum smelting industry is implicated with documented health risks. This study examined toxic effects of aluminum smelting dust as a real-life chemical hazard instead of single aluminum compounds, which seldom exist in real life. Methods: Adult male rats were gavaged acute (3 consecutive days) and chronic (6 weeks) doses of two dust concentrations (10 and 20 mg kg-1). Experimental investigation included toxic metal accumulation and biochemical analysis of blood and liver. Result: Aluminum and iron were highest in dust and respectively accumulated in brain, liver and kidneys. Anemia, inflammation, liver and kidney damage and oxidative stress were established in view of thrombocytopenia (35%), leukocytosis (41%), lymphocytosis (55%) and alterations in aminotransferases, creatinine, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Aluminum facilitation of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation is suggested. These findings drew attention to the magnitude (dose-dependent) and persistence (time-dependent) of aluminum dust as health compromising and are of particular significance to workers in aluminum smelting industries.