Florida Tested Radioactive Waste in Road Construction
The EPA approved a project using phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of fertilizer production, in New Wales, Florida.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Construction
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On December 23, 2024, the EPA approved a project allowing Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC to use phosphogypsum waste in road construction on private property in New Wales, Florida. This byproduct, derived from processing phosphate ore, contains radium that can decay into radioactive radon gas.
Why it matters
The EPA authorized the use of this material after determining the project provides human health protection equivalent to existing engineered stacks. Because phosphogypsum produces radioactive radon gas, which is associated with lung cancer risks, the project has drawn significant scrutiny regarding environmental safety.
The test road includes four sections containing phosphogypsum and four control sections without it. Each section is equipped with one upgradient and two downgradient monitoring wells to track potential seepage.
The players
EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency is the federal agency responsible for regulating hazardous substances and enforcing environmental protections under the Clean Air Act.
Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC
This company is a major producer of phosphate-based fertilizers that creates phosphogypsum as a byproduct of its industrial operations.
The details
The phosphogypsum was incorporated directly into the road base and subsequently covered with a layer of asphalt. The site is currently being monitored to ensure the containment of radioactive material, which the EPA regulates under the Clean Air Act as a source of radionuclides.
Timeline
December 23, 2024: The EPA granted approval for the phosphogypsum road project.
Market Landscape
This project reflects a broader push to find alternative storage or disposal methods for industrial byproducts, positioning companies like Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC to potentially reduce long-term maintenance costs for engineered stacks. This shift challenges existing industry standards for waste management in the chemical sector.
Residents and local businesses near industrial testing sites should remain aware of EPA monitoring reports regarding potential soil and water contamination. The project serves as a precedent for how private property may be utilized for industrial waste containment experiments.
The takeaway
This test highlights the ongoing tension between industrial waste management and public health safety. The outcomes of this project will likely influence future federal decisions on repurposing hazardous materials in public and private infrastructure.
Further reading
For more information on state infrastructure standards and oversight, visit Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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