The U.S. government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil.
The material is produced by power plant “scrubbers” that remove acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide from plant emissions.
The substance is a synthetic form of the mineral gypsum, and it also contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals.
The synthetic gypsum — a whitish, calcium-rich material is known as flue gas desulfurization gypsum, or FGD gypsum. The Obama administration has continued promoting FGD gypsum’s use in farming.
The Environmental Protection Agency says toxic metals occur in tiny amounts. Some environmentalists say too little is known about how the material affects crops, and ultimately human health.
U.S. wants farmers to use coal waste on fields (Washington Post)
Why Haven’t Fruit & Vegetable Eaters Been Told About This Toxic Waste Overload? (Mercola.com)
