Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.phosphogypsum, a radioactive waste material, in road construction.
In June 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that would allow for the use of phosphogypsum, a radioactive waste material, in road construction. The bill, which was passed by the Florida legislature in May, has been met with opposition from environmental groups, who argue that the use of phosphogypsum in road construction would pose a health risk to road construction crews and the surrounding community.
Phosphogypsum is a byproduct of the fertilizer industry. It is a fine, white powder that is produced when phosphate rock is mined and processed. Phosphogypsum contains small amounts of radioactive elements, including uranium and thorium. These elements can emit radiation, which can increase the risk of cancer.
The EPA has banned the use of phosphogypsum in road construction since 1989. However, the Florida bill asserts that phosphogypsum is not technically a "solid waste" and therefore is not subject to the EPA's ban. The bill also allows for the use of phosphogypsum in "demonstration projects," which means that the state will be able to test the use of phosphogypsum in road construction without having to obtain the EPA's approval.
Environmental groups have argued that the use of phosphogypsum in road construction is a reckless and irresponsible decision. They point to the fact that phosphogypsum can be easily contaminated with water, which can then leach into the environment and contaminate groundwater. They also argue that the use of phosphogypsum in road construction would put road construction crews at an increased risk of cancer.
The Florida bill is currently being challenged in court by environmental groups. It is unclear whether the bill will be upheld by the courts. However, the bill has already sparked a debate about the safety of using radioactive waste materials in road construction.
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