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When compared to some of the super high-tech gadgets that are defining the growing 鈥渃lean tech鈥� sector, soil microbiology may sound a bit dull. But a startup in Corvallis is finding some exciting new applications for its soil-altering technology.

was established in 2004 after spinning out of Oregon State University’s soil biology lab. The company tests soil and also sells products to help repair land damaged by industrial waste or excessive fertilization. Vineyards in California, coffee plantations in Guatemala and tomato farms in Mexico are among Earthfort’s recent clients.

But a small Japanese city near the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant recently expressed interest in another application for Earthfort’s services: reducing the spread of radioactive material following a nuclear disaster.

When a devastating tsunami struck Japan in March 2011, the ensuing nuclear accident led to far-reaching health and safety concerns. One of the long-term fears surrounds food production. Several studies have taken place to determine whether vegetables and other food grown in Japan are safe to eat, but results are varied.

Research published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences last year suggests that the spread of radioactive isotopes into land surrounding the plant is likely to severely impair food production.

That’s where Earthfort comes in.

The eight-person company recently signed a letter of commitment with a Japanese company that is working with the government to come up with ways to limit the movement of Cesium-137. It’s a radioactive element that can linger in the environment for decades following a nuclear meltdown.

Researchers have found that the area surrounding Fukushima had levels of Cesium-137 that exceeded official government limits for arable land.

鈥淓verything we do is related to the repair and remediation of soil, but the radiation issues are more glamorous than an over-fertilized field,鈥� said Scott Smith, Earthfort’s CEO.

Here in Oregon, OSU’s nuclear engineering and radiation health physics department tested Earthfort’s product to see whether it could stop a more benign version of the radioactive material from traveling into groundwater or entering radishes grown in tainted soil.

The results are promising, according to Kathryn Higley, professor and department head.

鈥淵ou can’t destroy radiation; that’s not physically possible. But if you can block it from getting into crops or keep it from moving down into the groundwater 鈥� that’s a really good thing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat’s why this product is interesting.鈥�

The data suggests that Earthfort’s product prevents nearly half of the radioactive Cesium-137 from entering plants and significantly reduces its movement through the soil.

With such promising results, Earthfort’s president and lab director, Matt Slaughter, is already considering long-term plans to work with the areas of the Ukraine still being impacted by the 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and in other countries with nuclear capabilities.

But for now, the company, a Northwest semifinalist in the business competition, is focusing on its work to help American farmers produce food more efficiently and with less environmental impact.

鈥淲e have huge opportunities in several areas, and we’re exploring them all,鈥� Slaughter said. 鈥淚t’s been a fun journey.鈥�