ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
General information
Environmental testing is not directly available to individuals but must be
requested through approved local health departments, regional offices or other
public agencies. Requests for special or non-routine analyses must be
coordinated through the laboratory in conjunction with the public agency.
Potable water
Routine analysis of water consists of bacteriological examination for the
presence, classification and/or quantification of coliform organisms and
chemical determination of nitrate.
Non-community public water supplies
Sample bottles for bacteriological and chemical monitoring are supplied
routinely by the Division of Laboratories to facilities. Analysis includes
those listed above for potable water plus nitrite. Reports on non-community
public water supply samples are issued to IDPH regional offices or approved
local health departments.
Private water supplies
Any individual using a non-public supply may request analysis of that water for
bacteriological and/or chemical quality through their local Health Department
or IDPH regional office. Individuals with chlorinated supplies should request
specially prepared containers. Reports of all private water supply analyses
will be issued to the local health departments or IDPH regional offices for
interpretation and recommendations. Contact your local health department or
IDPH regional office for testing criteria.
Public water supplies
Community water supplies, defined by the Safe Drinking Water Act, are under the
jurisdiction of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). IDPH will
process emergency sample requests following main breaks, main repairs or boil
orders. Reports of those analyses will be sent to IEPA.
Special requirements for water sample testing
The combination collection/report form that is enclosed with the sample
container must be filled out as completely as possible and the sample must be
collected according to the enclosed instructions.
Water samples must be collected in laboratory containers appropriate for the
analysis requested. These containers are available from all laboratories,
regional offices and most local health departments.
FOOD TESTING
General information
All food samples must be submitted through local health departments, IDPH
regional offices, or local or state municipalities. Special requests require
prior consultation with the laboratory.
Food-borne disease investigations should be coordinated with the Division of
Infectious Diseases
(217-785-7165) and the Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies (217-785-2439).
Chemical tampering investigations should be coordinated through local law
enforcement agencies or the IDPH Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies. Prior
consultation with the laboratory is required.
FOOD AND DAIRY
CHEMISTRY - INORGANIC
| Test |
Submission container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Borates |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Chloride |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Extraneous Material |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Moisture |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Nitrite, quant |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| pH, acidity |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Salt |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Solids, total |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Sulfite, quant |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
FOOD AND DAIRY CHEMISTRY - METALS
| Test |
Submission container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| As - Zn* |
[X] ContactLaboratory for
Instructions |
Ch |
10 |
FOOD AND DAIRY CHEMISTRY -
ORGANIC
| Test |
Submission container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Benzoate, quant |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Brix |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Color added, qual and quant |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Egg solids |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Fat |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Pesticide/herbicide |
Retail or appropriate |
Spr |
10
|
| Protein |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
| Sorbate, quant |
Retail or appropriate |
Ch |
10
|
* Most metals available, contact
laboratory for specific availability.
FOOD AND DAIRY MICROBIOLOGY
| Test |
Submission Container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Bacillus cereus |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
4
|
| Butterfat |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch |
2
|
| Clostridium perfringens |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
5
|
| Coliform, total |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
4
|
| Coliform, fecal |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
3
|
| Extraneous material |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
14
|
| Freezing Pt.-cryoscope |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
2
|
| Inhibitor |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
2
|
| Listeria monocytogenes |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
14
|
| Net contents (wt var) |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ch, Spr |
2
|
| Phosphatase |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
5
|
| Rinse Test (container) |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
5
|
| SPC/APC |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
2
|
| Salmonella |
6 oz water bottle or retail |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
7
|
| Staphylococcus |
Swab, retail, lab supplied |
Ch, Spr |
4
|
| Sterility |
Retail container |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
4
|
| Streptococcus, fecal |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
3
|
| Vibrio cholerae |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Vibrio parahemolyticus |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Yersinia enterocolitica |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
20
|
WATER CHEMISTRY - INORGANIC
| Test |
Submission Container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Fluoride |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
14
|
| Hardness |
6 oz water bottle |
Spr |
10
|
| Hydrogen Sulfide |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch |
10
|
| MBAS (detergents) |
6 oz water bottle |
Spr |
10
|
| Nitrate (qual) |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca |
5
|
| Nitrate (quant) |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca, Ch, Spr |
5
|
| Nitrite |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Nitrite (quant) |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| pH |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca,Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Residual Chlorine |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca,Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Sediment |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch |
10
|
| Sulfate |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Total solids / EC |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
| Turbidity |
6 oz water bottle |
Ch, Spr |
10
|
WATER CHEMISTRY - METALS
| Test |
Submission Container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Aluminum |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Antimony |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Arsenic |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Barium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Beryllium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Cadmium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Chromium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Copper |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Iron |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Lead |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Magnesium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Manganese |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Mercury |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Nickel |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Selenium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Sodium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Thallium |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
| Zinc |
Lab supplied container |
Ch |
10
|
WATER CHEMISTRY - ORGANIC
| Test |
Submission Container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Pesticide/Herbicide |
Lab supplied container |
Spr |
10
|
| Hydrocarbons |
Lab supplied container |
Spr |
10
|
| Trihalomethanes |
Lab supplied container |
Spr |
14
|
| Volatile organic cpds. |
Lab supplied container |
Spr |
5
|
WATER MICROBIOLOGY
| Test |
Submission Container |
Performed at |
TAT Days |
| Coliform, total |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca,Ch,Spr |
4
|
| Coliform, fecal |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca,Ch,Spr |
3
|
| E. coli |
6 oz water bottle |
Ca,Ch,Spr |
4
|
| Iron bacteria |
Retail or appropriate |
Spr |
1
|
| Pseudomonas |
Retail or appropriate |
Ca,Ch,Spr |
4
|
| Streptococcus, fecal |
Retail or appropriate |
Ca,Spr |
3
|
| Salmonella/Shigella |
Retail or appropriate |
Spr |
8
|
| Sterility |
Retail or appropriate |
Spr |
2
|
HEAVY METALS
General information
Analysis of a wide variety of environmental samples for heavy metal content is
provided. Analysis for lead in paint chips, wipes, soil and air filters is
routine. Various foods, toys, flatware and other items also can be tested.
Contact the laboratory for instructions. Other metals testing is offered on
request. Most elements are analyzed by graphite furnace AA. Lead is analyzed by
flame AA. Mercury analysis is performed by cold vapor techniques. Submitter
should contact the laboratory for special
instructions.
The laboratory is IEPA and Environmental Laboratory Lead Accreditation
Program (ELLAP) certified.
Special requirements for paint, dust wipes and soils testing
Paint chips, dust wipes and soil samples will be accepted only from IDPH
Division of Environmental Heath, local heath departments or other public
agencies. The laboratory will supply sample containers and dust wipe media on
request. Paint chips should be free of underlying matrix and are analyzed as
submitted. A minimum of 200 mg is required. Results will be reported in percent
content.
Dust wipes may be filter paper and water or alcohol swabs. Baby wipes are
not routinely accepted. Dust wipes must be packaged separately in 50 mL
centrifuge tubes to avoid cross contamination. A control should be supplied
along with each batch of submitted wipes. Results will be reported in total
content.
Submit soil samples in 50 mL centrifuge tubes. A minimum of 5 g of soil
shall be submitted. Results will be reported in micrograms per gram of dried
soil.
| Test |
Submission container |
Performed at
|
TAT Days
|
| As - ZN |
Lab supplied container |
Ch
|
10
|
| Pb |
Lab supplied container |
Ch
|
5
|
|
