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Environmental Testing
The Illinois Department of Public Health Laboratory Services Manual provides a description of all environmental tests available at the laboratory and other useful information.
The Springfield laboratory is certified by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dairy laboratory grade testing and is certified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to test drinking water for Total Coliforms and E. coli.
The Carbondale and Chicago laboratories in the division are certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s certification/evaluation officers to perform water and dairy testing.
The Chicago laboratory is accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association Laboratory Accreditation Programs (AIHA-LAP, LLC), to test paint, soil, dust wipes, and air to determine the level of lead in these samples.
Dairy samples are accepted from milk sanitarians employed by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s regional offices. Testing requirements and frequency of testing are determined by the FDA and monitored by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Division of Food and Dairy, as part of the Grade A Milk Program.
Water samples are accepted only from regional, county, or city environmental health personnel. Testing requirements and frequency of testing are determined by the EPA and monitored by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Division of Environmental Health.
The Springfield laboratory is accredited by A2LA (certificate number 4358.01) to test food samples. Food samples are accepted only from regional, county, or city sanitarian personnel. The sanitarian contacts the epidemiologist of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Infectious Disease Division and/or the Food and Dairy Division to receive assistance in determining the necessity of testing food samples. After it is determined by the Division of Infectious Disease and/or the Division of Food and Dairy that testing is necessary, the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory should be contacted with the method of shipment and the expected time of arrival.
Illinois Department of Public Health’s approved water submission form. Forms may be obtained by contacting the Springfield laboratory at 217-782-6562.