Florida Bill Signed by DeSantis: Roads Allowed to be Made With Radioactive Waste!

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Thursday that allows roads to be made with radioactive waste, allegedly, it has been linked to cancer, CBS News reported.

The bill, which was brought forward to the House, added phosphogypsum to the list of recyclable materials that can be used in road construction.

This list originally included construction steel, glass, recycled mixed-plastic, ash residue from coal combustion byproducts, car tires, and ground rubber, most of which are commonly aggregated in landfills. However, phosphogypsum stands apart, as it requires specialized storage in gypstack systems to prevent contact with people and the environment due to its radioactive properties.

The state’s Department of Transportation must conduct a study to evaluate the suitability of phosphogypsum’s use in road construction before it can be implemented. However, environmentalists and experts have expressed skepticism about the state’s ability to handle such a study adequately.

They argue that history has shown that wherever phosphogypsum waste goes, environmental contamination follows, citing incidents like the Piney Point catastrophe that led to massive environmental damage and a lawsuit against the facility.

One of the main concerns surrounding phosphogypsum is the emission of radon gas, which is ranked as the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is considered the single greatest environmental source of radiation exposure. The EPA has banned its use in most projects, but some exceptions exist for agricultural and indoor research purposes with strict restrictions.

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Florida Bill Argued By Environmental Organizations

Environmental organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity, have urged Governor DeSantis to veto the bill, emphasizing that approving road construction with radioactive materials poses significant health and safety risks. They argue that any potential use of phosphogypsum on roads should be subject to a thorough review and public comment.

As the bill becomes law, it has sparked outrage and apprehension among citizens who fear the long-term consequences of using such hazardous materials in road infrastructure. The state of Florida faces a critical juncture in balancing infrastructure development with environmental and public health protection. Only time will tell how this decision will impact the state and its residents in the years to come.

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