Carlsbad-Based Science Company Receives $300K Grant From EPA

CARLSBAD, CA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it awarded $300,000 to Carlsbad-based Seacoast Science Inc. for the company's efforts to develop environmentally sound technology.

The EPA awarded a total of $2.7 million to nine small businesses in six states, including three in California, as part of its Small Business Innovation Research program. The EPA previously awarded phase one grants of up to $100,000 to small businesses, including San Diego's 2W iTech LLC, last July. Those recipients were also allowed to apply for the phase two funding announced Monday.

Seacoast Science will use the funding to continue developing methods to analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, man-made chemicals that are used in various consumer products like cookware and pizza boxes but can cause adverse health affects in humans if exposed to them over long periods of time.

"Small businesses provide the foundation of our economy and are incubators of innovative ideas that create jobs, improve lives and protect the environment," EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said. "With this funding, small businesses across the country will be able to help further EPA's mission of protecting the environment and public health."

Small business owners can visit the EPA's website at epa.gov/sbir to learn more about the SBIR program. To qualify, program applicants must be for- profit, U.S.-based businesses and have fewer than 500 employees, according to the EPA.

– City News Service