November 17, 2022
Gold-standard safety regulations in the US
When it comes to safety in phosphate production, the United States doesn’t mess around. The phosphate industry operates under stringent and comprehensive laws and standards at the federal and state level.
- Modern developments in technology allow for safer and more responsible operations and procedures, ensuring top safety for the industry’s employees and the environment.
When phosphate production is complete, a byproduct is created known as Phosphogyspum (PG), which federal regulation requires be stored in structures called gypstacks. Gypstack systems are a heavily regulated federal requirement by the EPA and have been for over 30 years.
- Gypstacks are monitored constantly and inspections are done twice per day, weekly, monthly, and annually to ensure compliance.
If other countries recycle it, so can we!
PG doesn’t have to just sit in gypstacks – it can be recycled. Today, more than twenty countries recycle their phosphogypsum.. Recycling phosphogypsum is good for the economy, good for the environment and good for infrastructure, too. It’s a win-win-win.
- PG can be used as a substitute for cement, for building materials and road construction, and as fertilizer — just to name a few.
1.7 billion tons of PG is stored in gypstacks today. PG use has been extensively studied and over 55 benefits have been discovered. Recycling PG would mean less waste, a more sustainable economy, and more land for conservation. It’s time to stop stacking it, and start recycling it.