Safe and sustainable recycling of lead–zinc smelting slag in cementitious systems: Structure, reactivity and leaching risk evaluation

Key Points

• Leaching risk assessment reveals low environmental hazards from lead-zinc smelting slag in cementitious applications.
• Key evidence indicates reduced leaching rates of heavy metals, particularly lead and zinc, under standardized conditions.
• Assessment involves analysis of reactivity and structural properties of lead-zinc slag when incorporated into cement matrices.
• Findings highlight the importance of safe recycling practices, supporting potential environmental benefits while reducing waste.