Form 1421 Medical Risks for NSF- Sponsored Personnel Traveling to

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
4201 WILSON BOULEVARD
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

OFFICE OF POLAR PROGRAMS

Medical Risks for NSF-Sponsored Personnel Traveling to the Polar Regions
Travel to the Polar Regions imparts certain risks to the traveler, because of harsh environmental conditions encountered,
limitations in the medical care available, and difficulties, in emergencies, of providing timely evacuation to tertiary
medical care facilities in the U.S. or other countries in the Polar Regions. United States polar programs participants
should consider these risks before deciding to deploy to the Polar Regions.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is located in the Arctic region and is characterized by an extreme climate.
Whenever you are in an arctic area you can expect changeable weather and must be prepared for all kinds of weather. The
Polar Circle crosses the country south of Sisimiut/Holsteinsborg. Therefore, a great part of Greenland has dark winters
and the midnight sun in the summertime. The temperatures vary between minus 5 degrees Celsius to minus 30 degrees
Celsius in the winter and plus 5 degrees Celsius to plus 15 degrees Celsius in the summer. Generally the climate is Arctic,
the main temperature being zero to subzero. The maximum temperature in the warmest month is 12 degrees Celsius. The
coldest months are February and March. However, the temperatures do not feel as cold as in Europe as the wind is very
dry. Greenland can only be reached by airplane.
It is important that polar participants recognize these limitations in medical care while they are deployed. It is, in part,
because of these limitations, that the NSF requires medical and dental screening of personnel prior to deployment to the
Polar Regions. These medical screening examinations are necessary to determine the presence of medical conditions that
could threaten the health or safety of the individual while deployed. Persons who fail to meet these medical/dental
screening criteria will be notified of the specific reason(s) for their disqualification. Disqualified individuals may request
reconsideration by completing a waiver request package (obtained from the designated NSF support contractor).
Pre-deployment screening can identify existing medical conditions that may be difficult or impossible to treat effectively
in the Polar Regions. Participants should realize that serious accidents or injuries might challenge the medical care
system, as well. Therefore, individuals should recognize the limitations in the medical care system before they engage in
any risk-taking behaviors (whether on-the-job or during recreational pursuits) that may result in accidents or injuries.
Data collected as a result of this medical screening requirement are maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act (5 USC
552a) of 1974 and protected against unauthorized release, as described in the appended Privacy Notice.
I have read and understand this information sheet.

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NSF Form 1421-B Page 1 of 1 (APR 2002)
Original plus one copy to: Contractor Medical Staff
OMB CONTROL NUMBER 3145-0177: Expires SEP 2010

Applicant: Please retain a copy for your records