Ecologists have given their approval: a road made from radioactive waste is being constructed in the United States.

An unusual project has begun in the USA. They are constructing an experimental road made from radioactive waste. This is reported by the Carscoops website.

The new road will be located in Florida — it will be built on private land owned by Mosaic Fertilizer, a company that produces phosphate fertilizers. The waste from production will be utilized in the construction.

Specifically, the material in question is phosphogypsum. It contains radium, which emits radioactive radon gas during decay — a hazardous carcinogen.

Naturally, such a project has sparked outrage among local residents. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the construction.

The road developers explain that phosphogypsum will be used solely for the "base" (instead of gravel). This will be covered with a 10 cm thick layer of asphalt, meaning that people or vehicles will not come into contact with the radioactive material.

Moreover, not all sections of the two-lane road will contain a "base" of phosphogypsum. It will be present in four sections, each 225 meters long. Another four sections, each 135 meters long, will not contain the hazardous material.

Nonetheless, even this design raises concerns, as there is a risk that radioactive substances could leach into groundwater. However, the project developers promise to drill 24 wells to monitor water quality.

There has long been a debate in the USA regarding the use of phosphogypsum in road construction. In 2020, the administration of Donald Trump allowed its use, but this approval was revoked during Joe Biden's presidency.

Incidentally, from January 1, 2025, new Euro-6 environmental standards will come into effect in Ukraine.