"Synthetic Gypsum"

[Judd Sills <sillsj@GAT.COM>]

I saw an article on this subject yesterday (below), and was curious
if anyone was knowledgeable about the materials captured
by a fossil plant's scrubber system.  Coal, as most of
us know, contains natural uranium and fossil plant emissions
and flyash are known to be greater sources of enhanced radioactive
emissions than nuclear plants ever dreamed of being.  My
question on the scrubber system wastes is directed to whether
this move described in the article below will be a means
to further elevate radon levels in homes and businesses
that use this "synthetic gypsum."

Best regards to all of you
========================
CHICAGO, July 8, 1997 (Reuter) - 
U.S. Gypsum Co., a unit of USG Corp., said Monday it reached agreement for
Louisville Gas and Electric Co to supply it with synthetic gypsum.

Louisville Gas is a unit of LG&E Energy Corp.

U.S. Gypsum said it will use the material to manufacture Sheetrock brand
gypsum wallboard.

Synthetic gypsum is a byproduct of the flue gas scrubbing process, which
removes sulfur dioxide from the emissions of fossil fuel-burning power plants.

The synthetic gypsum will come from LG&E's Mill Creek Station in
Louisville, Ky. LG&E will modify the scrubbers on four units at the station
in order to produce wallboard-grade gypsum.

U.S. Gypsum said it will receive the station's entire production, more than
500,000 tons per year, beginning in early 1999. The material will supply
the company's wallboard plants on the U.S. river system, including its new
state-of-the-art plant to be built in Bridgeport, Ala.

Judd M. Sills, CHP           |   Office: (619)455-2049
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