- DeSantis bill allowing radioactive waste for road construction
- Phosphogypsum use in Florida road construction
- Environmental impact of using radioactive waste in road building
- Controversy over DeSantis signing bill on phosphogypsum in roads
- Health risks and concerns with phosphogypsum in construction
DeSantis signs bill authorizing road construction using “radioactive” cancer-related mining waste
In another controversial bill signed by the presidential hopeful, the governor authorized the use of phosphogypsum for road construction in Florida
Ron DeSantis is no stranger to controversy. Whether publicly confronting his state’s largest employer, Disney, or waging a battle that some consider personal against the LGBTQ+ community, Florida’s governor is always making headlines and stirring passions.
This time, he’s in the news again because he signed a bill that expands the recycled materials that can be used in road construction in the state of Florida. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. It includes solid waste such as glass, plastic scrap from tires and metals used in construction, which become reusable materials instead of being considered garbage.
But there is one important detail. Among the new authorized materials is phosphogypsum, a mining waste that cannot be used for landfill because of its uranium content, which makes it a radioactive material.
Phosphate rock is mined for fertilizer production, and phosphogypsum is the resulting byproduct that contains decaying residues of elements that eventually generate radon, a radioactive gas known to be potentially carcinogenic by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
Because of this, phosphogypsum cannot be landfilled in accordance with federal regulations to avoid contact with people and the environment. Instead, it must be stored in gypsum pile systems, which is a costly process.
Surprisingly, Florida legislators passed a law allowing the use of this material that is not suitable for conventional recycling in new road construction, and the governor signed it.
Environmental organizations are alarmed by this situation. However, there is a clause in the law. Before the Department of Transportation can use phosphogypsum, a study is required to be conducted to assess its suitability. The legislation states that “previous or ongoing studies on the suitability of phosphogypsum for use on highways may be considered in compliance with this requirement.” These studies must be ready for evaluation by April 1, 2024.
Radon, the gas emitted by phosphogypsum, is the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoke, and causes approximately 21,000 deaths a year in the United States, according to the EPA. The agency also considers it to be the “largest environmental source of radiation exposure.”
What is phosphogypsum
Phosphogypsum is a byproduct generated during the process of producing phosphoric acid from phosphate rock. It contains a mixture of gypsum, silica, fluoride and trace elements, including uranium. It is a waste product of the phosphate industry used in the manufacture of fertilizers.
Phosphogypsum is considered a contaminant material due to its content of uranium and other radioactive elements. Its proper handling and storage are necessary to avoid environmental impacts and health risks.
Side effects of phosphogypsum
Phosphogypsum, due to its content of uranium and other radioactive elements, can have harmful side effects on health and the environment. Some possible side effects of phosphogypsum include:
1. Radiation: Phosphogypsum emits radon, a radioactive gas that can be harmful to human health and increase the risk of lung cancer.
2. Water contamination: Phosphogypsum can contaminate nearby water sources, releasing chemicals and heavy metals that can be toxic to living things and affect the quality of drinking water.
3. Soil contamination: If not properly managed, phosphogypsum can contaminate the soil and affect soil fertility, which in turn can have negative consequences for agriculture and ecosystems.
4. Impact on wildlife: The release of phosphogypsum and its components into the environment can affect wildlife and local ecosystems, causing damage to flora and fauna and altering natural processes.