Long-term stability and risk assessment of lead in mill waste treated by soluble phosphate

► Soluble P treatments significantly reduced Pb bioaccessibility and leachability in mill waste. ► Plant Pb uptake was positively related to Pb bioaccessibility in mill waste. ► The treatments had no significant adverse impact on microbial community. ► Pyromorphite-like minerals were formed after the treatments. ► This study verified that the risk reductions by the treatments are long-term.