ST PETERSBURG - The polluted leftovers of Florida's phosphate fertiliser mining industry, more than 1 billion tons in stacks that resemble enormous ponds, are at risk for leaks or other contamination when Hurricane Ian comes to the state, environmental groups say.
Florida has 24 such phosphogypsum stacks, most of them concentrated in mining areas in the central part of the state. Every year, about 30 million tons of this slightly radioactive waste are generated, according to the Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute.
Ragan Whitlock, the attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity environmental group, said in an email on Tuesday Sep 27 that "We are extremely concerned about the potential impact of Hurricane Ian on phosphate facilities around the state.