As Mosaic’s phosphogypsum test road gains federal approval, nearby tracts are being prepared for housing, sparking debate over health risks, regulation, and transparency.
In Polk County, a quiet stretch of land near Mulberry has become the center of a heated debate. The Mosaic Company, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate fertilizer, is testing a road built with phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate mining. Phosphogypsum contains radium, a radioactive element that can decay into radon gas, which is linked to lung cancer.
The pilot project, located at Mosaic’s New Wales facility, uses about 1,200 tons of phosphogypsum beneath a 3,200-foot asphalt road. Federal regulators approved the project in late 2024, describing it as a limited experiment designed to measure safety under real-world conditions. State officials echoed that view, saying the asphalt covering and monitoring requirements make the risks minimal. Mosaic has spent millions lobbying both Florida lawmakers and Washington.
Federal Approval & Local Concerns:…