Denver-area firm wins $80K for technologies that would protect public after a chemical or biological attacks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $80,000 to TDA Research, Inc., in Wheat Ridge, Colo., to develop technologies to protect public health and the environment following potential accidents or intentional attacks involving chemical and biological agents. Today’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award is among more than $2 million EPA is providing to 25 small businesses nationwide to develop new environmental technologies that will help protect public health and the environment.

TDA Research will use the EPA grant to investigate an encapsulation technology that will seal in chemical and biological agent contamination on solid wastes. This technology involves applying an impermeable polymer material to create a barrier on contaminated wastes removed from response sites following chemical or biological incidents, including building materials, furniture, insulation, and other materials. The successful encapsulation of chemicals and biological agents would protect responders and the general public from exposure and expedite the safe removal of wastes. In this Phase I project, TDA Research will investigate the feasibility of this technology to allow the safe recovery, transport and disposal of these types of materials.

“Over the past 30 years, EPA’s SBIR program has funded over 900 small businesses that develop unique environmental technologies,” said Lek Kadeli, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This funding opportunity allows these companies to help protect public health and the environment through innovative technology and more sustainable solutions while creating jobs and increasing economic competitiveness.”

EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research program funds innovative research resulting in new commercial products, processes and services that protect the environment, benefit the public, and promote the growth of small businesses. This year’s projects focus on drinking water, wastewater, manufacturing, green building, waste monitoring and management, air quality, sustainable use of biomass and homeland security.

Each of the 25 companies will receive an SBIR Phase I contract of up to $80,000 to further develop their technology over the next six months. Once the project has been demonstrated to be commercially viable, then companies are eligible to compete for a Phase II award of up to $300,000 to commercialize their technology. To be eligible to participate in the SBIR program, a company must be an organized for-profit U.S. business, and have fewer than 500 employees.

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