Hurricane Ian has potential for 'catastrophic' chemical leak in Florida

As Floridians board up their homes and businesses brace for Hurricane Ian’s impact, environmental groups worry there’s one big hazard that’s been left exposed to storm damage: pools and stacks that contain a toxic fertilizer byproduct.
 

Florida is home to much of America’s production of phosphate fertilizer and Ian’s current trajectory has its sights set east of Tampa, where Mosaic Co. has the bulk of its phosphate facilities. Environmental experts worry the possibility of storm damage poses a serious risk for a toxic spill due to the way phosphate is produced and its byproducts are stored.

“Protecting the environment and