Medical Clearance Process for Deployment to Antarctica, 45 CFR 675

National Science Foundation

§ 675.1

been performed on the meteorite, and
sub-sample information;
(iv) Submit an appropriate summary
of information about the meteorites to
the Antarctic Master Directory via the
National Antarctic Data Coordination
Center as soon as possible, but no later
than two years after receipt of samples
at the curatorial facility;
(v) Submit information on classification of the meteorite to an internationally recognized meteorite research
catalog, such as the ‘‘Catalogue of Meteorites’’ published by the Natural History Museum of London or the
‘‘Meteoritical Bulletin’’ published by
the Meteoritical Society;
(vi) Specify procedures by which requests for samples by bonafide scientific researchers will be handled;
(vii) Make samples available to
bonafide scientific researchers at no
more than incremental cost and within
a reasonable period of time; and
(viii) In the event that the initial curatorial facility is no longer in a position to provide curation services for
the specimens, or believes that the meteorites no longer merit curation, it
shall consult with the National Science
Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs
to identify another appropriate curatorial facility, or to determine another
appropriate arrangement.
§ 674.6 Submission of information to
NSF.
A copy of the written procedures developed by expedition organizers pursuant to § 674.5(b) shall be furnished to
the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs at a minimum
of 90 days prior to the planned departure date of the expedition for Antarctica. NSF shall publish a notice of
availability of the plan in the FEDERAL
REGISTER that provides for a 15 day
comment period. NSF shall evaluate
the procedures in the plan to determine
if they are sufficient to ensure that the
meteorites will be properly collected,
handled, documented, and curated.
NSF shall provide comments on the
adequacy of the plan within 45 days of
receipt. If NSF advises the expedition
organizer that the procedures satisfy
the requirements of § 674.5 and the procedures are implemented, the expedi-

tion organizer will have satisfied the
requirements of this part.
§ 674.7 Exception
finds.

for

serendipitous

A person who makes a serendipitous
discovery of a meteorite in Antarctica
which could not have been reasonably
anticipated, may collect the meteorite
for scientific research purposes, provided that the meteorite is collected in
the manner most likely to prevent contamination under the circumstances,
and provided that the meteorite is otherwise
handled,
documented
and
curated in accordance with the requirements of § 674.5.

PART 675—MEDICAL CLEARANCE
PROCESS FOR DEPLOYMENT TO
ANTARCTICA
Sec.
675.1
675.2
675.3
675.4

Purpose and authority.
Medical examinations.
Medical clearance criteria.
Waiver process.

AUTHORITY: 42 U.S.C. 1870.
SOURCE: 62 FR 31522, June 10, 1997, unless
otherwise noted.

§ 675.1

Purpose and authority.

(a) This part sets forth the procedures for medical screening to determine whether candidates for participation in the United States Antarctic
Program (USAP) are physically qualified and psychologically adapted for assignment or travel to Antarctica. Medical screening examinations are necessary to determine the presence of
any physical or psychological conditions that would threaten the health or
safety of the candidate or other USAP
participants or that could not be effectively treated by the limited medical
care capabilities in Antarctica.
(b) Presidential Memorandum No.
6646 (February 5, 1982) (available from
the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, room 755, 4201
Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230) sets
forth the National Science Foundation’s overall management responsibilities for the entire United States national program in Antarctica.

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§ 675.2

45 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–03 Edition)

§ 675.2 Medical examinations.
(a) Any individual seeking to travel
to Antarctica under sponsorship of the
United States Antarctic Program must
undergo a medical and dental examination to determine whether the individual is physically qualified for deployment to Antarctica.
(b) The medical and dental examinations may be conducted by a qualified
licensed physician or dentist of the
candidate’s choosing, or designated by
the employing organization, following
instructions provided by the USAP.
The medical examinations shall include a medical history, physical examination and appropriate clinical
tests which address major organ systems for medical conditions inconsistent with safe deployment to Antarctica.
(c) The candidate’s physician/dentist
will submit the required medical information on the appropriate USAP-provided forms to a USAP-designated physician who will determine whether the
individual is qualified for deployment
to Antarctica based upon Medical
Clearance Criteria established by the
USAP. All information requested on
the forms shall be provided.
(d) Candidates who anticipate spending the austral winter in Antarctica
(when evacuation may be impossible)
are subject to additional evaluation,
including a determination of psychological adaptability for such an isolated assignment. Psychological evaluations of ‘‘winter-over’’ candidates
shall be performed by a qualified team
of USAP-designated physicians/clinical
psychologists.
§ 675.3 Medical clearance criteria.
(a) The USAP shall establish Medical
Clearance Criteria for determining eligibility for deployment to Antarctica.
(See Medical Standards for Antarctic
Deployment available from the National Science Foundation, Office of
Polar Programs, room 755.09, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230).
The criteria will include examination
of the following major organ systems:
(1) Lungs and chest wall.
(2) Heart and vascular system.
(3) Abdominal organs and gastrointestinal system.
(4) Endocrine or metabolic system.

(5) Genitalia and urinary system.
(6) Musculoskeletal.
(7) Skin and cellular tissues.
(8) Neurological Disorders.
(9) Psychiatric or psychological.
(10) Dental.
(b) The USAP may review and revise
the Medical Clearance Criteria periodically as appropriate.
§ 675.4

Waiver process.

(a) If an individual is found not physically qualified for deployment to Antarctica, the USAP’s contractor will inform the individual of the determination and of the administrative waiver
process, and will provide a waiver application package to the individual
upon request.
(b) The waiver applicant should send
the completed waiver application package to the USAP’s contractor which
will forward the package to NSF’s Office of Polar Programs for review and a
determination on the appropriateness
of a waiver. In making the waiver determination, the Office of Polar Programs may consult with other qualified
medical personnel and may require
waiver applicants to take further medical examinations or to furnish additional medical documentation in support of the waiver application.
(c) The Director, Office of Polar Programs (or designee) will make a final
determination, in the exercise of his or
her discretion, on the appropriateness
of a waiver on a case-by-case basis.
(d) Individuals for whom a waiver is
determined to be appropriate are eligible for deployment to Antarctica subject to any necessary limitations/restrictions identified by the Director,
Office of Polar Programs, or designee.

PART 680—NATIONAL SCIENCE
FOUNDATION RULES OF PRACTICE AND STATUTORY CONFLICTOF-INTEREST EXEMPTIONS
Subpart A—Rules of Practice for the
National Science Foundation
Sec.
680.10 Definitions; cross-references to employee ethical conduct standards and financial disclosure regulations.
680.11 Staff involvement with NSF proposals and awards.

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