Possible Radioactivity and Other Hazards

Although the non-radioactive isotope P is the 100% naturally abundant isotope (Chapter 13.5), it is becoming increasingly evident that all phosphate rocks contain rare earth elements and radioactive material of some kind, even if it is in only small amounts. Florida sedimentary phosphorite, for example, contains 0.05% total of rare earth elements. 

Mined apatite is a viable source of uranium and toxic cadmium (Tables 2.15 and 4.3). Concern has been expressed that both these elements could enter the food chain via fertilisers made from wet process phosphoric acid. Significant quantities of Pb, Hg and Cu may also be present but concentrations of all trace elements can be very sensitive to exact deposit location [88] (Table 2.16). Prolonged 

Arsenic, Lead and Copper Contents of Typical Phosphate Ores (mg/kg) 

Mild radioactivity is usually found in waste slag from the electric furnace process for making elemental phosphorus (Chapter 4.1) moreover, radioactivity could sometimes be present in the waste phosphogypsum from wet process phosphoric add (Chapter 5.2). 

The significant uranium content of phosphate rock gives cause for concern for military and strategic reasons (Chapter 4.1). 

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