CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION OF LEAD IN AUTO SHREDDER RESIDUE

The chemical distribution of lead in two samples of a unique solid waste stream, Auto Shredder Residue (ASR), is investigated employing a variety of chemical and physical analytical procedures. The results of the analysis suggest that the major source of lead contamination in this particular solid waste stream can be attributed to accumulated road dirt which contains particulate lead and amorphous lead oxide associated with the combustion of leaded gasoline. Although some lead oxides are detected as small paint chips associated with electro-coated paint primers, used to provide corrosion resistance in automobiles, the actual quantities detected are small. The results of a sequential chemical extraction procedure indicate that the environmental mobility of the lead present in ASR is very sensitive to pH conditions. These results have important implications on the classification of the material as a ''Hazardous'' or ''Non Hazardous'' solid waste.