Rhode Island State Health Laboratories

Environmental Sciences

Specialty Areas

Air Pollution: is responsible for measuring pollutants in outdoor air around the state of Rhode Island. Working closely with DEM, the lab tests air  for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, airborne toxic compounds, metals, and particulates. The data is submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency and is used on state, regional, and national levels to develop air pollution control measures. Current conditions and pollution forecasts for Rhode Island and other areas are available on the website www.epa.gov/airnow, where the Air Quality Index is given as a measure of how clean the air is and its affect on health.

Contact: (Acting Supervisor), Roy Heaton, 222-5550

Biomonitoring and Blood Lead: This laboratory is analyzing chemical toxic substances, such as lead or mercury, in human blood or urine. These type of tests help assess the quantity of chemicals actually entering human bodies. The best known  type of biomonitoring measurements is screening children to prevent childhood lead poisoning. The biomonitoring laboratory is also responsible for the laboratory response to chemical terrorism.

Contact: Maurice Lynch 222-5559
 
Food and Water Chemistry: analyzes drinking water, wastewater and non-potable water samples utilizing EPA approved methods for inorganic contaminants minerals and trace metals. In addition to providing support for programs in the Departments of Health and Environmental Management, services are also provided to other agencies such as Mental Health Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH) and Department of Transportation (DOT); the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This laboratory is also responsible for coordinating and responding to outbreaks related to chemical contaminants or toxins in food.  Specific areas of focus include dairy chemistry, seafood decomposition and related toxins, food allergen testing, elemental analysis, and food illness/consumer complaints. This Laboratory also participates in on-going training and proficiency testing for the Food Emergency Response Network’s (FERN) Food Chemistry testing program.

Contact: (Acting Supervisor) Ruth Wernquest, 222-5574

Organic Chemistry: is involved with the analysis of drinking water, wastewater and other non-potable water for pesticides, volatile and semi-volatile contaminants using gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Testing in this laboratory is also associated with identifying the improper application of pesticides in support of the Department of Environmental Management’s Use/Misuse Program. The laboratory is certified by the U.S. EPA Region1.

Contact: Mitchell Foresti, 222-5583 or 222-5576

Quality Assurance Office:  ensures that quality laboratory services are maintained in the environmental testing labs of the  State Health Laboratories.   This is accomplished through a combination of consultation, audits, and data review.  Statistical methodology is used to detect trends that might lead to quality problems. 

Contact:  Henry Leibovitz, Ph.D. 222-5578

Analytical Laboratory Certification Office: The analytical laboratory certification program operates under the authority of chapter 16-13.2 of the General Laws of RI. Systems for quality assurance and quality control are assessed through the evaluation of qualifications of personnel, use of acceptable methodology, proficiency testing and on-site inspections.

The Laboratory Certification  Office maintains a list of laboratories certified by the Department for the analysis of drinking water, non-potable water and environmental lead.

Contact: Henry Leibovitz, Ph.D. 222-5578