BARC develops new technologies for hazardous waste processing

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed new technologies for waste processing at the Waste Immobilization Plants (WIP). The technologies developed after sustained R&D efforts are planned to be used at the WIPs to enhance the processing capacity. The technologies include ion exchange process for the treatment of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW), Advanced vitrification system for the treatment of High Level Waste (HLW) and a demonstration Facility for actinide partitioning. The removal of actinides from HLW before vitrification leads to a significant reduction in the long-term hazard potential. The facility will serve to demonstrate the solvent extraction process developed for the purpose.

In ion exchange process, the major radionuclide present in the waste is removed using an indigenously developed ion exchanger. The first waste immobilisation plant with integrated facility for managing all categories of liquid waste came up last year at Trombay. Radioactive liquid waste is generated during reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from research reactors at BARC.

[Ref: Chronicle Pharmabiz, Aug. 7, 2003]

Abbott may spin off hospital products unit

Abbott Laboratories said it plans to spin off the less profitable parts of its hospital products division into a public company and it seeks to focus on branded drugs and high-tech medical devices. Abbott, which also said it is reorganising the structure of its medical products division to make it more entrepreneurial, has been moving for the last four years to acquire fast-growing businesses and shed those whose growth rates are slow. The new hospital products company, which has yet to be named, will sell generic drugs, medication delivery systems, critical care products and infusion therapies.

[Ref: The Economic Times, 26/08/03]

ABS Medicare begins marketing of BARC’s hydrogel

BARC Scientist Dr. Advait Majmudar’s ABS Medicare has started marketing of BARC’s patented sterile hydrogel used for medicinal purposes particularly for burn and injury dressings.

ABS has branded its hydrogel as Hizel. The dressings are available in the sizes 6cm x 6cm costing Rs.45, 6x12 costing Rs.70, 12x12 costing Rs.110 and 25x30 costing Rs.425.

The technology was invented jointly by Dr. Majmudar and Dr Lalit Varshney at BARC. These dressings have water content in excess of 90% and have the capacity to absorb wound exudates. They have a cooling effect on the burn wound and thus reduce the severity of the pain. It further provides moist environment, soften any slough, provides sterile cover and regulates the oxygen supply to the wound site to enable faster healing," said Dr Sunil Sabarwal, a senior scientist connected with the project. All ingredients used in the process are low cost, biocompatible and are locally available or can be readily imported under OGL.

The world over, hydrogels are being used increasingly for treatment of burn injuries as well as in plastic surgery on donor areas. The hydrogel has the property of adhering firmly yet gently to the healthy surface. It does not adhere to wet wound surface. This results in painless dressing. Being transparent, the progress of the wound healing can be observed without removing the dressing. In many cases, the use of hydrogels has been observed to prevent scar formation as well as to flatten old scars.