In a surprising move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given preliminary approval for Mosaic Fertilizer to use phosphogypsum—a radioactive byproduct from fertilizer production—in constructing test roads on its Florida property. This decision has ignited concerns among environmental advocates and raised questions about public health and environmental risks.

A Risky Precedent: Could This Decision Pave the Way for Hazardous Infrastructure Nationwide?

The Risks of Phosphogypsum

Phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate mining, contains radium that decays into radon gas. Both substances are classified as carcinogens by the EPA. Historically, the agency has prohibited the use of phosphogypsum in construction due to the potential dangers it poses to workers and nearby residents. However, the EPA now asserts that exposure to this material will be minimal in this specific project. Mosaic views this initiative as part of a broader strategy to showcase innovative road designs, potentially leading to wider adoption of phosphogypsum in infrastructure projects.The accumulation of billions of tons of phosphogypsum, especially in states like Florida, has intensified the debate over how to manage this hazardous waste. Some proponents see potential benefits in repurposing phosphogypsum, while opponents highlight significant public health risks. The pilot project involves building four experimental road sections, each 500 feet long and 24 feet wide, using up to 50% phosphogypsum by weight. For comparison, four control sections without phosphogypsum will also be constructed.

Public Reaction and Legal Challenges

Environmental groups have expressed strong opposition to the EPA’s decision. Ragan Whitlock, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, described the approval as “mind-boggling.” Whitlock emphasized concerns about the risks to road crews and water quality. Critics argue that the EPA may be yielding to pressure from the phosphate industry, potentially opening the door to widespread use of hazardous waste in roads across the country.The timing of the EPA’s announcement has also drawn scrutiny. A request for public comment was issued just hours before Hurricane Milton was expected to make landfall as a Category 5 storm in the Tampa Bay area. This timing raised concerns, particularly given the history of environmental issues associated with phosphogypsum stacks during severe weather events. Days after Hurricane Milton struck as a Category 3 storm, Mosaic reported that contaminated water had been discharged from its Riverview site into Tampa Bay due to excessive rainfall. This incident highlights the ongoing environmental challenges linked to phosphogypsum storage.

Historical Context and Regulatory Shifts

The EPA’s decision marks a departure from its 1992 stance, which deemed the use of phosphogypsum in road construction an unacceptable public health risk. Since then, regulations have mandated that phosphogypsum be stored in stacks on private land due to its cancer risks and other health hazards from radon emissions. Although the EPA insists the risk from this specific project is “extremely low,” critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent for future use of phosphogypsum in public infrastructure.Globally, phosphogypsum is finding increasing reuse in various applications, but in the U.S., it remains primarily stored in stacks. The EPA’s recent approval raises questions about the balance between innovation and safety in addressing the growing stockpiles of this radioactive material. As the debate continues, stakeholders must weigh the potential benefits against the risks to public health and the environment.