FDA to provide $2M to fund radiation protection

The FDA will provide grant funds totaling an estimated $2 million for the support of a Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) radiation protection program.

The goal of the program, dubbed 2013 Assuring Radiation Protection, will be to coordinate federal, state and tribal activities in looking for effective solutions for radiation control problems, according to the FDA. Nonprofits, for-profit organizations and small businesses are also eligible applicants.

Recipients of the award will be expected to obtain states’ cooperation and participation on committees and working groups, as well as plan and facilitate an annual meeting and develop educational activities to demonstrate mutually beneficial techniques, procedures and systems relevant to radiation protection. Recipients also will establish committees to address, evaluate and propose solutions for a range of radiation health and protection issues, according to the FDA.

Examples of relevant areas of interest provided in the notice include:

• The application of x-rays to the healing arts;
• The application of non-medical ionizing radiation and medical/non-medical non-ionizing radiation; and
• The control and mitigation of radiation exposure from all sources.