than 100 years, the U.S. was the world’s major phosphate supplier, and prices were relatively stable. But U.S. deposits, mainly in Florida, are limited and could run out in 30 years, according to Companies that manufacture A perfect storm of shortages and Albarelli. phosphate-based corrosion inescalating prices for essential waThe current shortages and price hibitors are finding it increasingly ter treatment chemicals, in parincreases reflect a landscape that difficult to obtain the raw materiticular phosphate, is threatening is fundamentally changing, says als, says Paul Carus, chief executhe quality of drinking water in Stephen Jasinski, a mineral comtive officer of Carus Corp., a the U.S. and the U.K. The result modity specialist with the could be a significant U.S. Geological Survey. threat to public health, For example, U.S. compaaccording to chemical nies no longer export to suppliers and users. China, but they do supply In 2001, more than half major quantities to other of the medium to large Asian countries and to U.S. drinking-water comBrazil, a major producer of panies used phosphate ethanol. And these days, chemicals to inhibit corroChina, the U.S., and Mosion in lead pipes and to rocco are in a three-way keep the poisonous metal tie to dominate sales. Alout of drinking water (Mcbarelli warns, “We could Neill, L. S.; et al. J. Am. see Morocco become the Water Works Assoc. 2002, Saudi Arabia of phos94, 57-63). The practice is Phosphate-based anticorrosion chemicals, which are curphate. If we run out [in also common in the U.K. rently in short supply, keep lead out of drinking water. the U.S.], we would be at But the water treatment the mercy of Morocco, China, and major supplier. “Green acid, the sector represents less than 1% of Russia.” fertilizer, is the raw ingredient for the global phosphate Shortages and rapidly rising every corrosion-inhibiting product marketsfertilizer and animal feed prices may cause chaos for drinkthat we make. Right now, agriculsupplements make up more than ing-water providers in the short tural people will pay almost any95%. Now, rampant agricultural term, but in the long run, the thing for green acid. Since the demand from emerging econosituation is likely to correct itself, water market is so small, this cremies overseas and ethanol prosays Sandra Hoffmann with Reates serious problems of availabilduction in the U.S. threatens sources for the Future, a think ity and price.” supplies for this component of tank. She notes that a long-term Water companies increasingly public-health protection. beneficial consequence of the inreport that suppliers have voided “The high prices are causing creased demand and price could and renegotiated contracts for difficulty, but the more potentially be greater efforts to recycle the phosphate-based corrosion inworrying aspect could be the phosphate that is in fertilizers and hibitors. And the price of phosnonavailability of phosphate to reduce the fertilizer runoff that phate has increased 10 times in chemicals, which would pose a causes excess algal growth and just under 2 years, according to serious threat to public health,” leads to “dead zones” in freshwaGary Albarelli with the Florida Insays Steve Whipp, standards and ter and saltwater. stitute of Phosphate Research, a innovation manager at the U.K.’s Such efforts may benefit the state agency. “Ethanol mandates largest water company, United environment, but from the pubwent into force, and growing corn Utilities. Many studies have lic-health point of view, says uses lots of phosphate fertilizer. shown that exposure to lead, even Carus, “it seems like it would be Additionally, the standard of livat low levels, is detrimental to easier to get farmers to apply a ing is going up in India and health. Young children are the little less fertilizer than take the China, and it takes more fertilizer most vulnerable because lead exrisk that utilities would use less to make beef than to make rice,” posure adversely impacts brain corrosion inhibitor.” he adds. “So we have energy and development. Water is an underfood effects, and the falling dollar, estimated source of lead, accord—REBECCA RENNER all hitting at the same time.” ing to a recent paper by U.S. EPA Mineral deposits are the only scientist Ronnie Levin and source of phosphate. For more colleagues. ISTOCKPHOTO
Fertilizer phosphate demands could corrode water safety
7030 9 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / October 1, 2008
10.1021/es802143w
2008 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 08/06/2008
