Environmental group sues EPA over approval of Mosaic’s radioactive road project in Polk County

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is facing backlash from environmental groups after a December decision allowing Mosaic to use phosphogypsum in a road project in Polk County. 

Now, one group is suing the EPA. 

Phosphogypsum is a byproduct of processing phosphate. It contains radioactive material that the EPA says can cause cancer. 

And Center for Biological Diversity Staff Attorney Ragan Whitlock says that’s not all. 

“But in addition, there are a host of heavy, toxic metals in phosphogypsium which could leech into our groundwater. And as we saw with the Piney Point disaster, could wreak havoc on our ecosystems. This project is also not designed to address those concerns at all,” Whitlock told WMNF.

The approval from the EPA allows Mosaic Fertilizer to embark on a pilot road project at its facility in New Wales. 

Now, the Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit.

“This is a brazen attempt to coddle the phosphogypsum industry instead of protecting human health and safety and the environment,”  Whitlock says.

Due to its public health threats, since 1989 the EPA has required that phosphogypsum be stored in stacks.

Now, Whitlock called the decision to use it is roads contradictory and risky. 

“The EPA is now turning back the clock on its own independent consultants’ findings that this presents an unacceptably high cancer risk.” Whitlock said.

He encourages those concerned to reach out to their legislators and representatives. 

An EPA spokesperson told WMNF they do not comment on current or pending litigation. 

Meanwhile, Mosaic is looking at injecting phosphate wastewater underground in the state.

The Tampa Bay Times reports they are considering phosphate wastewater injection underground in Riverview, New Wales, Bartow, and Plant City. 

Whitlock says putting the wastewater underground is a bad idea, too. 

“The idea that we should be injecting our radioactive, hazardous waste into underground wells in a state that prohibits underground injection of hazardous waste precisely because of our carcinology and the permeability of our soils is a terrible idea,”Whitlock said.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Mosaic will hold a Public Meeting in Plant City to hear public feedback.

The meeting will be held at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center in Plant City on March 11th, from 4 to 7 pm.