The Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) and a number of other environmental organizations submitted a February 8th document to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) titled:
Petition for Rulemaking Pursuant to Section 7004(A) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act; and Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act Concerning the Regulation of Phosphogypsum and Process Wastewater from Phosphoric Acid Production (“Petition”)
Phosphogypsum is described by the Petition as radioactive, toxic waste created during wet-process phosphoric acid production. The rate of production is stated to be 5.2 tons for every ton of phosphoric produced.
Phosphoric acid is described as the intermediate feedstock of granular and liquid ammonium phosphate fertilizers. It is stated to be produced from phosphate rock mined from mineral deposits.