Agencies
Services
Environmental Testing
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Laboratory Manual of Services provides a comprehensive description of all environmental tests available at the three IDPH laboratories, as well as other helpful information.
The Springfield laboratory is certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dairy laboratory-grade testing.
The Carbondale, Chicago, and Springfield laboratories are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to test drinking water for total coliforms and E. coli.
The Carbondale and Chicago laboratories are certified by IDPH’s certification/evaluation officers to perform dairy testing.
The Chicago laboratory, ID #102305, is accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association Laboratory Accreditation Programs (AIHA LAP, LLC) to test paint, soil, dust wipes, and air samples for lead levels.
Dairy samples are accepted from milk sanitarians employed by IDPH’s regional offices. Testing requirements and frequency of testing are determined by the FDA and monitored by IDPH’s Division of Food, Dairy, and Devices 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 USEPA and monitored by IDPH’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 IDPH’s Division of Infectious Diseases and/or the Division of Food, Dairy, and Devices to receive assistance in determining the necessity of testing food samples. After it is determined by the Division of Infectious Diseases and/or the Division of Food, Dairy, and Devices that testing is necessary, the IDPH laboratory should be contacted with the method of shipment and the expected time of arrival.
IDPH approved water submission form may be obtained by contacting the Springfield laboratory at 217-782-6562.
