Polluted waste from Florida’s fertilizer industry in the path of Milton’s fury

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🗞️ Driving the news: As Hurricane Milton strikes Florida, environmentalists are concerned about the potential spread of hazardous waste from the state’s phosphate fertilizer industry
• The storm threatens more than 1 billion tons of radioactive phosphogypsum waste stored in massive "stacks," posing risks to nearby waterways

🔭 The context: Florida is home to 25 phosphogypsum waste stacks, remnants from processing phosphate ore for fertilizer
• Past storms have caused significant leaks, such as Hurricane Frances in 2004, which released 65 million gallons of acidic wastewater, killing marine life
• Sites like Piney Point have a history of leaks, compounding environmental risks during hurricanes

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The hazardous waste stored in Florida's phosphate facilities includes radioactive materials and heavy metals, which could contaminate ecosystems and drinking water, exacerbating environmental damage and health risks

⏭️ What's next: Authorities and companies, including Mosaic, are preparing for potential storm damage and have indicated they will report any impacts after Milton passes
• Ongoing environmental cleanup and safety measures will be critical in the storm’s aftermath

💬 One quote: “These are ticking time bombs,” said Ragan Whitlock of the Center for Biological Diversity, about Florida’s phosphogypsum stacks

📈 One stat: A 2021 leak at the Piney Point reservoir released 215 million gallons of polluted water into Tampa Bay

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