The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted approval for a pilot project allowing the use of phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of fertilizer production, in road construction in Florida. This decision marks a significant shift from the agency’s previous stance that deemed the material too hazardous for such applications.
Phosphogypsum contains radium, which decays into radon gas—a radioactive, odorless, and tasteless substance known to cause cancer. Historically, the EPA has opposed using phosphogypsum in construction due to these health risks. However, on December 23, 2024, the agency approved a request from Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, to use phosphogypsum in a road construction project located on its private property in New Wales, Florida.
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA describes this initiative as a small-scale “pilot program” to assess the material’s feasibility in road construction. The project involves building four test road sections at Mosaic’s New Wales facility in Polk County, Florida, using phosphogypsum as a road base. The EPA described the project’s risks as “low” based on multiple modeling efforts. However, the approval is limited to this specific initiative.
Earth.com
Critics have expressed significant concerns regarding the potential health and environmental risks associated with this decision. Environmental groups warn that the use of phosphogypsum could lead to increased exposure to radon gas and potential contamination of local water supplies. Reagan Whitlock, a Florida-based attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, stated, “Shame on the EPA for disregarding its own science showing the unacceptable risks to people’s health and the environment from using phosphogypsum in road construction.”
The Hill
The EPA’s approval has also sparked discussions about the potential for future projects utilizing phosphogypsum in construction. While the agency emphasizes that this approval is specific to the Mosaic Fertilizer project, opponents fear it could set a precedent for broader use of the material, potentially leading to increased public health risks.
As the pilot project proceeds, it is expected to face continued scrutiny from environmental groups and the public. The outcomes of this initiative may influence future regulatory decisions regarding the use of industrial byproducts in construction and other applications.
