Florida has embarked on a controversial pilot project after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the construction of a road made from phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of fertilizer manufacturing. This project, spearheaded by Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, has ignited fierce debates and raised concerns among activists and residents alike about the risks associated with using such materials.
The proposed road, which will extend 3,200 feet, is intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of phosphogypsum as a viable road construction material. The facility located in New Wales, Florida, is where the road will be constructed. According to reports from the Tampa Bay Times, phosphogypsum contains radium and radon gas, both known for their radioactive properties and potential health risks, including cancer.
Historically, the EPA has warned against the use of phosphogypsum for construction due to safety concerns. The agency cited studies dating back to 1992, which detailed the dangers posed to construction workers and to future residents who might build homes over such roads. These previous concerns have not completely disappeared, yet the EPA now asserts the new project presents no greater risk than storing phosphogypsum in its existing “stacks.”
Ragan Whitlock, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, challenged the EPA's decision, labeling it “mind-boggling.” She emphasized the increased risk it poses to road crews and water quality, stating, “The EPA has bowed to political pressure from the phosphate industry and paved the way for this dangerous waste to be used on roads all over the country.”
Under the previous administration, the Trump administration had approved the use of phosphogypsum for government road construction. This approval was later rescinded by the Biden administration due to concerns about its broad application and safety. Now, the current pilot program is seen as filling the void left following these shifting policy decisions.
The EPA maintains it has taken necessary precautions by limiting the pilot project to just one test road. Mosaic Fertilizer promotes the pilot as part of efforts to explore innovative road construction designs, which could eventually open the door to wider applications if deemed successful. Yet, the approval raises pressing questions: how safe is it really? What happens if corrosion occurs over time, or if extreme weather impacts the radioactive material?
Community reaction has been mixed. Some residents express confusion and heightened concern about the feasibility of driving on roads made from radioactive materials. Activists argue the situation needs more scrutiny, urging the EPA to reconsider the broader impact of these materials on public health and the environment.
Critics are calling for more comprehensive studies to assess the long-term effects of using phosphogypsum on roads, especially considering Florida's susceptibility to storms and flooding, which could potentially mobilize radioactive material. There’s unease about how this could affect groundwater and surrounding ecosystems.
While the pilot project is billed as groundbreaking, many view it as the first step down a slippery slope toward permitting more radioactive roads if the outcomes are deemed favorable. With such significant concerns at stake, both political interests and public sentiment are bound to influence future decisions surrounding this controversial material.
If you find yourself driving down the roads of Florida, be ready to ponder: could some of what you’re driving on be radioactive? This project may just be the beginning of applying materials we once stored away for safety, recontextualizing how we handle environmental byproducts.
