US Approves Florida Plan To Use Carcinogen Radioactive Waste In Road Construction

In a contentious move that has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has greenlit a pilot project to incorporate phosphogypsum—a radioactive byproduct of phosphate production—into road construction. This project, spearheaded by Mosaic Fertilizer, will take place on the company’s property in Polk County, Florida, testing the material’s viability in four road sections.

Phosphogypsum, typically stored in massive stacks due to its radioactive properties, has long been a concern for environmentalists. Mosaic Fertilizer’s pilot project aims to explore new uses for the material by integrating it into road base mixtures. According to the EPA, the approval is strictly limited to this small-scale project and does not signal broader acceptance of phosphogypsum in construction.

The agency emphasized in its Federal Register notice that the decision was made after comprehensive modeling efforts, concluding, “Results from multiple modeling efforts indicate that risks due to the proposed pilot project are low.” The focus of the assessment was on potential health risks to workers and nearby residents, with no significant new concerns raised during the public comment period.

Despite these assurances, the EPA’s decision has sparked fierce opposition from environmental organizations. Critics argue that the pilot project sets a dangerous precedent, potentially opening the door for widespread use of phosphogypsum in public infrastructure.

Ragan Whitlock, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, described the approval as “mind-boggling,” highlighting risks to both road workers and nearby water sources. She warned, “This pilot project could pave the way for a wider acceptance of phosphogypsum in public infrastructure nationwide.”

Whitlock further condemned the EPA for yielding to industry pressure, stating, “Instead of better oversight of Florida’s biggest polluters, the EPA appears to have succumbed to political pressures from the phosphate industry.”

The EPA’s decision aligns with recent legislative developments in Florida. In 2023, state lawmakers, supported by Governor Ron DeSantis, passed a bill authorizing the Florida Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of using phosphogypsum in road construction. The bill stipulates that such use must comply with EPA-approved guidelines, reflecting growing interest among industry stakeholders in repurposing the material despite environmental risks.

While the EPA and Mosaic Fertilizer frame the pilot as a cautious and controlled exploration of phosphogypsum’s potential applications, environmentalists see it as a slippery slope. The radioactive nature of phosphogypsum and its documented risks to water quality and public health remain central concerns.