[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30578]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research

 

Energy Research Financial Assistance Program Notice 95-08: 
Electron Beam Irradiation of Medical Waste

Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Action: Notice inviting grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Health and Environmental Research (OHER) of the 
Office of Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 
announces its interest in receiving applications for support of the 
research and development of technology for commercial exploitation of 
electron beam sterilization of infectious hospital waste in preparation 
for disposal. It is essential that the research be conducted at a 
public, urban teaching hospital affiliated with a comprehensive medical 
school and research center with an active electron beam program and 
documentable experience in operating a functional machine. In recent 
years, the practice of handling medical infectious waste by 
incineration or autoclaving has resulted in public controversies in 
terms of environmental and public health issues. Irradiation of medical 
infectious waste by electrons might provide an environmentally safe and 
publically acceptable method for disposing of this waste. Applications 
should also address: (a) Monitoring and validating the treatment 
efficacy; (b) pre-irradiation processing of waste, and (c) economic 
feasibility of this approach.
    Before preparing a formal application, potential applicants are 
encouraged to submit a brief preapplication, in accordance with 10 CFR 
600.10(d)(2), which consists of two to three pages of narrative 
describing research objectives and methods of accomplishment. The 
preapplications will be reviewed relative to the scope and research 
needs for the commercial exploitation of electron irradiation 
technology for medical waste disposal. Preapplications referencing 
program Notice 95-08 should be received by January 1, 1995, and sent to 
Dr. Matesh N. Varma, Office of Health and Environmental Research, ER-
73, U.S. Department of Energy, GTN, Washington, D.C. 20585, telephone: 
(301)903-3209. Telephone and telefax numbers are required to be a part 
of the preapplication. A response to the preapplications discussing 
potential relevance of a formal application will be communicated by 
January 15, 1995.

DATES: Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be 
received by 4:30 p.m., E.S.T., March 8, 1995, to be accepted for a May 
review and to permit timely consideration for award in Fiscal Year 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 95-08 should 
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research, 
Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, (GTN), 
Washington, D.C. 20585. Attn: Program Notice 95-08. The following 
address must be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal 
Service Express Mail, any commercial mail delivery service, or when 
hand-carried by the applicant: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Energy Research, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64, 
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Matesh N. Varma, Office of Health 
and Environmental Research, ER-73, U.S. Department of Energy, GTN, 
Washington, D.C. 20585, telephone: (301)903-3209.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE is interested in receiving research 
applications focused on the study of electron irradiation for treatment 
of medical waste. Additional information can be obtained by contacting 
Dr. Matesh N. Varma at (301)903-3209.
    It is anticipated that approximately $1 million will be available 
for one award during Fiscal Year 1995, contingent upon availability of 
funds. Information about development and submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation and selection processes, and other 
policies and procedures may be found in the Application Guide for the 
Office of Energy Research Financial Assistance Program and 10 CFR Part 
605. The Application Guide is available from the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Office of Health and Environmental Research, ER-73, GTN, 
Washington, D.C. 20585. Telephone requests may be made by calling 
(301)903-5349.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR Part 
605.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on November 28, 1994.
D.D. Mayhew,
Director, Office of Management, Office of Energy Research.
[FR Doc. 94-30578 Filed 12-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P