[Hardlyworking]

This material is stored in open air stacks all around central Florida. If it was that hazardous why would the EPA allow this?

[ithos]

The problem with a lot of posts is that they are political based depending on which party is involved. This thread is a prime example.

That said, I believer there is legitimate reason to criticize the Governor for signing of HB637 which severely restricts direct vehicle sales to consumers.

But the Democrats were in on it too. Can we be bipartisan and slam both parties?

House Bill 637 (2023) - The Florida Senate

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by arbajeda

Good grief! Have any of you read the bill? Here's, verbatim, the first seven lines of it:

An act relating to the use of phosphogypsum; amending
3 s. 336.044, F.S.; authorizing the Department of
4 Transportation to undertake demonstration projects
5 using phosphogypsum in road construction aggregate
6 material to determine its feasibility as a paving
7 material;

It's a feasibility study, not an authorization for use.

It is a feasibility study using demonstration projects. What does "demonstration project" mean to you? I can think of a few "demonstration projects":

1. Widening 75 from WIldwood to Ocala would be a nice demonstration project
2. Widening 301 from Sumterville through Wildwood would be a nice demonstration project
3. Partnering with a developer and using the material in their next phase would be a nice demonstration project
4. Converting a plant to use the new material and then using that for all the projects in 2024 would be a nice demonstration project.

When I read "demonstration project" I get the impression that the author wanted me to imagine a few spots in the Gov's parking lot when in reality what was meant was a green light to do whatever they want under the umbrella of "feasibility study."

[Lindsyburnsy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

But, but....

Didn't you read the end of post #4? It's "we the people" who wanted this. We voted for our representatives and they vote for what they know the majority of us want. The Gov simply went along with what he knew we wanted.

It would be interesting to see the science on this. Just how much radiation will be added to what we are already exposed to.

The majority of the people want stricter gun laws and freedom for women to choose what they do with their own bodies, but these lawmakers are not listening to "We The People".

[ThirdOfFive]

[QUOTE=Dotneko;2230870]Never let pesky facts get in the way of bashing the governor. Come on man![/QUOTE]
Lol! Tis the (silly) season, after all.

[Byte1]

Did they actually say that it is RADIOACTIVE waste?
A while back, some roads were being paved with waste material left over from coal fueled power plants. Just saying. Cinders, I believe.
Before everyone panics, does anyone really think that EPA would allow dangerous materials to be used?
Oh well, this makes for a great discussion.

"...that will allow new roads in the state to be built with “radioactive” mining waste that has been linked to cancer." I wonder if this will cause health issues equal to or any more than the water we drink, sodas, alcohol, preservatives in our food, construction materials, automotive fuels, plastics used as food containers, etc. Seems to me that folks are living longer than ever, which many exceeding a hundred years. Surprising how anyone lives as long as they do with all this STRESS they contend with.

[johnsi911]

Another attempt to discredit DeSantis. Here's the real story on phosphogypsum. Be sure to check out the next to last paragraph.

Phosphogypsum is a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer production process. It is a solid waste material that is generated when phosphate rock is treated with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid, which is then used to manufacture various phosphate fertilizers.

Phosphogypsum contains various impurities, including heavy metals, radionuclides, and phosphoric acid residues. As a result, it is considered an environmental concern due to its potential for groundwater contamination and the release of harmful substances.

Due to these environmental concerns, the disposal and management of phosphogypsum can be challenging. One common practice is to store it in large containment areas called "gypsum stacks" or "stacks." These stacks are designed to contain the phosphogypsum and prevent its release into the surrounding environment. However, the long-term management of these stacks remains a topic of ongoing research and regulatory oversight.

Efforts are being made to find alternative uses for phosphogypsum to minimize its environmental impact. Some potential applications include using it as a construction material, soil amendment, or raw material for various industrial processes. However, these applications require careful consideration to ensure that the potential risks associated with phosphogypsum are properly managed.

It's worth noting that the specific regulations and practices regarding phosphogypsum disposal and utilization may vary between countries and regions.

[JRcorvette]

People always Jump to Conclusions before they know all the Facts and if what they hear is True or not. Fact the ground emits Radon Gas all the time and it is only dangerous if it is at high levels over a long period of time in a confined space. Not sure what is going into the road material but it will not be harmful to you driving down the road in your Car.

[HJBeck]

Since most rocks have small quantities of Radon and other low level contaminates, I think you have more to worry about your granite counter tops.

[Wondering]

Originally Posted by Pballer

DeSantis signs bill allowing new roads to be built with mining waste linked to cancer | The Hill

What will they think of next?

Does that really surprise any intelligent person who can see through Mini-Me? Pathetic human being and wanna be!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by JRcorvette

People always Jump to Conclusions before they know all the Facts and if what they hear is True or not. Fact the ground emits Radon Gas all the time and it is only dangerous if it is at high levels over a long period of time in a confined space. Not sure what is going into the road material but it will not be harmful to you driving down the road in your Car.

I'm not so worried about the finished product. My worry is the people who are hired to a) contain the material, b) transport the material, c) release the material to the property where the work will be done and d) directly work with the material to create the roadway once it's been dropped off at its location.

This is going to be insanely costly, and if employees are informed of the risks, it's possible they might not be willing to do the work. If that happens, it's possible that they won't be informed of the risks, and then we'll have multi-million/billion-dollar class action suits on our hands if any of them end up with cancer as a result of direct contact with the dust or fumes while doing the work.

Not to mention - who's going to be wearing full hazmat gear for several hours per day in the grueling hot Florida sun to do this work? It's not something you can just wear gloves for.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by Pballer

DeSantis signs bill allowing new roads to be built with mining waste linked to cancer | The Hill

What will they think of next?

And people like this man.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by HJBeck

Since most rocks have small quantities of Radon and other low level contaminates, I think you have more to worry about your granite counter tops.

As I understand it, the concern is less about the material when used as a roadway and more about what happens after the road is abandoned. When the road is abandoned that material becomes a soil contaminant that could potentially wind up in someone's back yard or foundation.

It's a long-term consideration which may or may not result in actual harm. The concern today is that this consideration is being ignored by using harmless-sounding words like feasibility study and demonstration project.

[Marine1974]

Really , did Americans want to go to war in IRAQ or Afghanistan , Vietnam? Did Americans want the national debt to increase to 55 trillion by 2035 ?
Did Americans want social security payments to be taken out of the fund by our government?

[Dotneko]

Originally Posted by mraines

And people like this man.

Why, yes. Yes we do. An overwhelming number of Floridians voted for him.