Without owners for the ASARCO smokestacks, they are set to be brought down in just a few months. 

Some El Pasoans expressed concern that the blast will send years of toxic chemicals into the city including nearby areas of Interstate 10 and University of Texas El Paso.

Unless someone steps forward with $10 million to purchase the old Smeltertown site by Dec. 4, the smokestacks will be brought down early in 2013. Those in charge of the site said it will have very little effect on the surrounding area. 

ASARCO trustee Roberto Puga said demolishing the stacks is a fairly standard procedure and will have minimal impact.

They plan to do it on an early weekend morning, most likely a Sunday, because they will need to shut down parts of I-10 and Paisano for 20-30 minutes Puga said they will alert the railroad as well. 

The goal is to keep all the debris and dust on the site. Engineers will use special dust suppression technology to prevent the particles from spreading.

"Essentially, you set up an artificial fog and rain on the ground so that when the stacks hit the ground, it breaks apart and creates a dust cloud. The fog and the water serve to knock down the dust particles," Puga said.

Puga said he plans to have a public meetings with video and graphics to show El Pasoans exactly how the stacks will come down and the logistics of the dust.

Puga said they won't be opening the event up to the public, but there are some great vantage points around the city to see the stacks collapse.