WASHINGTON — A lawsuit was filed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Center for Biological Diversity concerning the agency’s recent approval for the utilization of phosphogypsum in road construction. This decision aligns with a pilot project by Mosaic at its New Wales facility in Mulberry, Florida. Phosphogypsum, a radioactive waste byproduct from phosphate fertilizer production, contains uranium and radium, substances known to increase cancer risks and genetic damage.
Historically, the EPA has banned the use of phosphogypsum in road construction due to its hazardous nature. However, this new approval marks a potential shift towards nationwide authorization of this radioactive material in infrastructure projects.
Ragan Whitlock, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity in Florida, criticized the EPA’s decision. He highlighted that this move contradicts previous scientific assessments and regulations by the EPA, amplifying the permissible cancer risk to the public. Whitlock also accused the EPA of favoring industrial interests over environmental and public health protection.
The EPA’s decision to greenlight the use of phosphogypsum emerged despite concerns raised by the agency’s own expert consultant. The consultant’s report outlined various scenarios where the public, especially construction workers, could be exposed to an increased cancer risk, deemed unacceptable by prior EPA standards.
Since 1989, the agency has mandated that phosphogypsum be stored securely in large stacks. This storage method is intended to prevent the dispersal of radon gas, which poses significant public health risks due to its radioactive nature with a half-life of 1,600 years. The material is also known to contain hazardous trace metals, such as chromium, arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc, antimony, and copper, which threaten both surface and groundwater resources.
The phosphate ore, primarily sourced from mining operations in Florida, undergoes chemical treatment in sulfuric acid at fertilizer plants. This process yields phosphoric acid and generates five times as much phosphogypsum as a radioactive byproduct. Consequently, Florida now holds over 1 billion tons of this waste, with the fertilizer industry adding about 40 million tons annually.
The recent EPA approval begins with Mosaic’s pilot project but may lead to broader applications, raising environmental and health concerns amongst the public and advocacy groups. Critics argue that the benefits to industry are being prioritarily considered over potential long-term environmental impacts and the safety of the populace.
The utilization of phosphogypsum in road construction remains a controversial topic, as it brings to the fore vital discussions about environmental safety, regulatory adherence, and the balance between industrial and public interest.
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