The physical and chemical properties of these metal-rich particles in urban impacted by mining and metallurgical activities depend on the type of processed mineral, industrial stage, and the emission controls in place. Similar content being viewed by othersįugitive and non-controlled emissions of metal-rich particles from mining and non-ferrous metallurgical are the main source of metals of atmospheric metals 1, 2, which in turn can affect urban environments, biota, and humans 3, 4, 5. These findings highlight the potential consequences of weathered Pb-rich particle in urban areas, particularly in the arid and dusty city of Torreón. The physical and chemical transformations in Pb-rich particles contribute to increased Pb bioavailability and toxicity in urban dust, with substantial implications for environmental and human health. As the particles analyzed are presumed to be resuspended rather than freshly emitted by Met–Mex, the presence of secondary Pb minerals in settled urban dust is predominantly linked to weathering processes. Compared to galena, secondary Pb minerals exhibit higher chemical availability in the environment, posing greater risks to the environment and human health. Primary Pb minerals were linked to fugitive feed concentrates and smelter flue gas at Met–Mex Peñoles, while secondary Pb minerals, like Pb carbonates, Pb sulfate, and Pb oxides, resulted from direct emissions and weathering processes. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of Pb and Zn sulfides, Pb carbonates, Pb sulfate, and Pb oxides in urban dust, both as individual particles and agglomerates. We used various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) to determine the size, morphology, elemental composition and mineralogy of Pb-bearing particles. Dry atmospheric particles were collected in 20 from Torreón's urban area within a 3 km radius of the Met–Mex Peñoles complex. Torreón is characterized by arid conditions, temperature fluctuations, and low humidity. This study focuses on lead (Pb)-rich particles in settled urban dust within an arid and dusty city, Torreón in North Mexico, affected by Met–Mex Peñoles complex, one of the world's largest Ag–Cd–Pb–Zn smelting and refining facilities in operating since 1901. These particles vary in size, morphology, and elemental compositions and they undergo weathering processes that alter their composition and affect their toxicity. Metal-rich particles originating from non-ferrous metallurgical activities are the primary source of atmospheric metals in urban environments.
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