Tests Available to the Public for a Fee
Title | Fluoride Analysis |
Test Explanation | Fluoride can occur naturally in well water at high levels from erosion of natural deposits, or not be present at all. Some people who drink water containing fluoride more than the EPA MCL or Maximum Contaminant Level (4.0 mg/L) over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL (2.0 mg/L) or more may cause mottling of children’s teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums. The recommended level of fluoride is 0.7 mg/L to prevent tooth decay. |
Test Designed For |
Contact: Bharat Patel |
Cost | $10 per sample plus shipping for Well Water Testing No Charge for Investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions |
Specimen Requirements | Questions: Contact Bharat Patel, Bpatel@health.in.gov |
Sampling Materials | The kit contains:
Order kits using the link below: |
Procedural Notes | Do not rinse the sample container. Flush the sample tap for five (5) minutes prior to collecting the sample. Reduce the flow of the water and fill the sample container to the shoulder of the bottle. Replace and tighten the cap to prevent sample leaking. Complete the analysis request form. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return (within 72 hours) to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories Chemistry Laboratories 550 W 16th Street, Suite B Indianapolis, IN 46202-2203 |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Additional Information |
Title | Arsenic, Lead and Copper in Water - available to the Public |
Test Explanation | Lead, Copper, and Arsenic are all EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulated parameters. Lead and Copper usually enter the water supply from plumbing or from erosion of natural rock deposits. In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, Lead may cause kidney problems as well as high blood pressure. Short term Copper exposure can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long term exposure can cause liver or kidney damage. Arsenic is more common in well waters than in public water supplies. Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal found in the ground throughout Indiana. Arsenic may also come from agricultural, mining and industrial practices. Non-cancer effects of arsenic can include: stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and numbness in hands and feet. Arsenic can cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted from private citizens. This test is not for public water supply compliance monitoring. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Use plastic 125 mL bottles for sampling. Contact laboratory for sampling kits. Each kit includes sampling instructions as well as a sample container for Arsenic, Lead and Copper testing. The fee is $20.00 per kit, one sample per kit. Shipping fee of $6.50 is additional. See form for payment options. |
Procedural Notes | Follow sampling instructions included in the sampling kit. Complete the analysis request form included in the sampling kit. Please fill in all requested information on the form. |
Shipping Instructions | Within 14 days of collection, Mail or return to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories Sample can be dropped off in person at Central Receiving. |
Reporting and TAT | The report with sample results will be emailed within 21 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Nitrate + Nitrite as N |
Test Explanation | All well owners are encouraged to test their water yearly for nitrates. High levels of nitrates may indicate a failing septic system or contamination from animal herds, fertilizers or landfills. The Nitrate + Nitrite test is a good indicator of overall water quality. Using Federal regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 141.23 (a) (4) (i)) as a guideline, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Nitrate as Nitrogen is 10.0 mg/L (ppm) and for Nitrite as Nitrogen is 1.0 mg/L (ppm). The health significance of nitrate above these levels applies to pregnant women, and infants below the age of six months. The major health effect associated with these levels is methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue-baby syndrome”. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples will be accepted from the public for a fee of $10.00 per sample plus $6.50 shipping and handling per order. Samples from State government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments will be accepted at no charge. Contact: |
Sampling Materials | Nitrate kits can be requested from the Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories Containers Area 317-921-5874. The kit contains: * Instruction form* Analysis request form* One 125mL plastic bottle with a filter paper and a small amount of Sulfuric Acid. |
Procedural Notes | Do not rinse the sample container or discard the acid preservation disk! The filter disk is saturated with 50% sulfuric acid (see precautions) and is used to preserve the sample for the analysis of total nitrate/nitrite. Flush the sample tap for five (5) minutes prior to collecting the sample. Reduce the flow of the water and fill the sample container to the shoulder of the bottle. Replace and tighten the cap to prevent sample leaking. Do not take the filter paper out. Complete the analysis request form. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return (within 72 hours) to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water |
Test Explanation | The Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water analysis is useful in environmental health investigations to help identify the source of contamination as human or animal in drinking water or surface water. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted only from state agencies, local health departments, or institutions doing environmental health research. This analysis is not available to the general public. One Liter of water, preferably filtered through glass fiber in the field, should be collected and kept cold until delivery. Samples should be received within 36 hours of collection. Please email Amanda Scott or call at 317-921-5580 for further instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Samples are collected in specially cleaned 1 Liter amber glass bottles with teflon-lined caps or specially cleaned 1 Liter plastic bottles. This method detects low levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Sampling personnel must be gloved and should refrain from using caffeine, nicotine, and personal care products, including anti-bacterial soaps, the day before and the day of sample collection. Soils may be collected in glass bottles and should be kept cold until delivery. |
Procedural Notes | Waters need to be pre-filtered through glass fiber filters before laboratory preparation. Samples are preserved at the laboratory with EDTA. |
Shipping Instructions | Samples are delivered in person to the laboratory or shipped overnight with cold packs. Indiana Department of Health Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | Reports are emailed or mailed within 30 days of receipt. Results for water samples are reported in ng/L (parts per trillion). |
Tests Available to All Local Health Departments
PLEASE CALL ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER TESTS (317) 921-5500
Title | Asbestos Collection and Transport |
Test Explanation | Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is made worse by smoking. The greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chance of developing harmful health effects. Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure. Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are: 1) lung cancer, 2) mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest and the abdomen and heart, and 3) asbestosis, a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for Asbestos analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana State Department of Health Indoor Air Division, State government agencies or from a County Health Department. Solid material such as building materials, insulation, pipe wrap, ceiling tile, floor tile, may be submitted. Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Submit samples in re-sealable plastic bags. |
Procedural Notes | Samples should be in sealed, double plastic bags and submitted through the appropriate government agency. Label the plastic bag with the name of the location where the sample was taken, the name of person or health department that took the sample and what the sample is (i.e. pipe wrap). If more than one sample is collected be sure to number each bag. Include a completed sample submission form when submitting samples. |
Shipping Instructions | Place bag(s) containing sample(s) in an appropriate shipping container and ship to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Arsenic in Water |
Test Explanation | Arsenic is more common in well waters than in public water supplies. Arsenic is a naturally occurring metal found in the ground throughout Indiana. Arsenic may also come from agricultural, mining and industrial practices. Non-cancer effects of arsenic can include: stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and numbness in hands and feet. Arsenic can cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems. Arsenic is a regulated parameter for the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level for Arsenic is 0.010 mg/L or 10 parts per billion. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana State Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from Local or County Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Use plastic bottles for sampling, the minimum volume required is 125 mL. Compliance or enforcement samples must be collected in 1 liter bottles. Contact laboratory for sampling containers. |
Procedural Notes | Complete the analysis request form. For contact information, include at least an email address. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return to: |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons - Extractable |
Test Explanation | The TPH-E test includes compounds found in kerosene, diesel fuel, hydraulic fluid, and motor oil. Many of these organic compounds are suspected human carcinogens. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for TPH-E analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana State Department of Health and other government agencies. Contact: Amanda Scott at 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Water must be collected in one liter glass bottles with teflon lined caps, both of which were previously rinsed with solvents. Solids are collected in solvent rinsed pint glass jars with clean aluminum foil between the jar and the cap. |
Procedural Notes | Water - fill 2 of the provided one liter glass bottles to the top. |
Shipping Instructions | Samples must be kept refrigerated at 4°C from the time of collection to the time of analysis. Samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 1 day of collection. Ship samples by an overnight service with ice packs and adequate padding to prevent breakage, or hand-deliver to the lab. Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 30 days. |
Title | Fluoride Analysis |
Test Explanation | Fluoride can occur naturally in well water at high levels from erosion of natural deposits, or not be present at all. Some people who drink water containing fluoride more than the EPA MCL or Maximum Contaminant Level (4.0 mg/L) over many years could get bone disease, including pain and tenderness of the bones. Fluoride in drinking water at half the MCL (2.0 mg/L) or more may cause mottling of children’s teeth, usually in children less than nine years old. Mottling, also known as dental fluorosis, may include brown staining and/or pitting of the teeth, and occurs only in developing teeth before they erupt from the gums. The recommended level of fluoride is 0.7 mg/L to prevent tooth decay. |
Test Designed For |
Contact: Bharat Patel |
Cost | $10 per sample plus shipping for Well Water Testing No Charge for Investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions |
Specimen Requirements | Questions: Contact Bharat Patel, Bpatel@health.in.gov |
Sampling Materials | The kit contains:
Order kits using the link below: |
Procedural Notes | Do not rinse the sample container. Flush the sample tap for five (5) minutes prior to collecting the sample. Reduce the flow of the water and fill the sample container to the shoulder of the bottle. Replace and tighten the cap to prevent sample leaking. Complete the analysis request form. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return (within 72 hours) to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories Chemistry Laboratories 550 W 16th Street, Suite B Indianapolis, IN 46202-2203 |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Additional Information |
Title | Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons - Volatile |
Test Explanation | This test includes compounds commonly found in gasoline. Many of these volatile organic compounds are suspected human carcinogens. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for TPH-V analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana State Department of Health and other government agencies. Contact: Amanda Scott at 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Sample Containers -- 40ml screw cap vials each equipped with a PTFE-faced silicon septum. |
Procedural Notes | For Water Samples: When sampling from a water tap, open the tap and allow the system to flush until the water temperature has stabilized (usually about 5 min). Adjust the flow so that it is smaller than the bottle opening, and collect the samples from the flowing stream. When sampling from an open body of water, fill a 1-quart wide-mouth bottle or 1-liter beaker with sample from a representative area, and carefully fill duplicate sample bottles from the 1-quart container |
Shipping Instructions | The samples must be chilled to 4°C on the day of collection and maintained at that temperature until analysis. Field samples that will not be received at the laboratory on the day of collection must be packaged for shipment with sufficient ice to ensure that they will be at 4°C on arrival at the laboratory. Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 15 days. |
Title | Inorganic Chemistry Analysis |
Test Explanation | Inorganic parameters such as cyanide, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, ammonia, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, biochemical oxygen demand, solids and nutrients can be used to assess water quality. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples will only be accepted from state government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments. Contact: Please call for information on the best test parameter(s) to address your issue. |
Sampling Materials | Plastic and/or glass containers. |
Procedural Notes | Please contact the lab for specific instructions, these will be based on the analyses requested. |
Shipping Instructions | Please contact the lab on how quickly you need to mail the samples, this will depend on the analyses requested. Mail or return to: |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Lead and Copper in Drinking Water |
Test Explanation | Lead and Copper usually enter the water supply from plumbing or from erosion of natural rock deposits. In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, Lead may cause kidney problems as well as high blood pressure. Short term Copper exposure can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long term exposure can cause liver or kidney damage. Lead and Copper are EPA regulated parameters with an action limit of 15 ppb for Lead and 1300 ppb for Copper in drinking water. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana State Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Sampling bottles must be 1 L plastic bottles to meet the requirements for the Lead and Copper Rule. Samples for Schools and Child Care facilities should be 250 mL plastic bottles. Bottles from the laboratory do not contain preservative. Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559, for sampling containers. |
Procedural Notes | There are two draw types for water sampling:
First Draw and Second Draw samples give an idea of the amount of lead attributed to the plumbing. If only collecting one sample, collect a First Draw. Complete the analysis request form. For contact information, include at least an email address. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories Chemistry Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Lead in Dust Wipes |
Test Explanation | In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, kidney problems as well as high blood pressure may occur. Lead in dust wipes is an EPA regulated parameter. The following are test result action limits set by the EPA: Less than 10 µg/ft2 for floors, carpeted and uncarpeted areas. Less than 100 µg/ft2 for interior windowsills. |
| Test Designed For | Qualified Lead Assessors from Local Health Departments, Lead & Healthy Homes or IDEM – No charge currently. |
| Cost | No charge for investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions. |
Specimen Requirements | See ASTM Practice E1728 or pertinent HUD publications for specific sampling requirements. Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Please purchase Vials and Ghost Wipes. Email Qbell@health.IN.gov for questions. |
Procedural Notes | Please follow these five general guidelines: 1) One property equals one group. A group of dust wipe samples should include one Field Blank. (A field blank is a dust wipe opened at the sampling location then placed into its own Vial). ALWAYS submit a field blank with each sample group. 2) ALWAYS record the sampled area for each dust wipe sample in inches. 3) Dust wipes should be free from large amounts of paint chips (as from a deteriorated window trough). 4) One sample is one dust wipe: DO NOT composite samples – DO NOT put multiple wipes in one container. 5) Identify each sample at each location. Simple numbering is best. Record any deviations from this sampling procedure. Include a completed Dust Wipe Sample Submission Form. |
Shipping Instructions | Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to: IDOH Laboratory Refrigeration is not required. Samples should be received within 14 days of collection. |
Reporting and TAT | Routine samples will be reported within 10 business days from receipt. |
| Additional Information | Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Title | Lead in Paint Chips |
Test Explanation | In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, kidney problems as well as high blood pressure. |
| Test Designed For | Qualified Lead Assessors from Local Health Departments, Lead & Healthy Homes or IDEM – No charge currently. |
| Cost | No Charge for Investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions. |
Specimen Requirements | See ASTM Practice E1729 and/or pertinent HUD publications for specific sampling requirements. Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Submit paint in a resealable plastic bag such as a Ziploc plastic bag or hard-walled containers. If using plastic bags, please double-bag. |
Procedural Notes | 1) Try to include all paint layers. |
Shipping Instructions | Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to: IDOH Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | Routine samples will be reported within 10 business days from receipt. |
| Additional Information | Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Title | Lead in Soil |
Test Explanation | In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, kidney problems as well as high blood pressure are possible. |
| Test Designed For | Qualified Lead Assessors from Local Health Departments, Lead & Healthy Homes or IDEM |
| Cost | No Charge for Investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | Digger and a re-sealable plastic sample container such as a Ziploc plastic bag. Please double-bag each sample. |
Procedural Notes | 1) Samples are usually taken within three feet (3') of the house (near the drip line) or within three feet (3') of the road. Other areas requiring sampling include exposed soil areas where children or their pets play. No paint chips or large pieces of debris should be included in the soil sample. |
Shipping Instructions | Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to: IDOH Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | Routine samples will be reported within 10 business days from receipt. |
| Additional Information | Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Title | Lead in Water for Lead Assessors |
| Test Designed For | Qualified Lead Assessors from Local Health Departments, Lead & Healthy Homes or IDEM as part of a poisoning investigation. |
| Cost | No charge for investigations by Local Health Departments, IDEM or other state agencies and institutions. |
Test Explanation | In infants and children, Lead can cause delays in physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, kidney problems as well as high blood pressure are possible. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments. |
Sampling Materials | Collect drinking water from kitchen if possible or main source of drinking water. Please contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov for sampling containers. |
Procedural Notes | There are two draw types for water sampling: First Draw: Water that has stood motionless for at least 6 hours. Do not flush the water before taking sample. Do not sample after weekends, holidays, or extended periods of stagnation. First draw samples may be taken in the morning or at the end of the day, but the water in the residence must not be used during the prior 6-hour period. Second Draw: Does not require stagnation. Flush the water 4-5 minutes before collecting the sample, then fill up the container. First Draw and Second Draw samples give an idea of the amount of lead attributed to the plumbing. It is OK to collect only a Second Draw. |
Shipping Instructions | Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to: IDOH Laboratory |
Reporting and TAT | Routine samples will be reported within 10 business days from receipt. |
| Additional Information | Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Title | Metals in Water, Soil, or Waste |
Test Explanation | Severe effects of metals toxicity include reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme cases, death. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana State Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County and Local Health Departments. Questions: Contact Kathryn Mudica, kmudica@health.in.gov or 317-921-5559 |
Sampling Materials | For water samples use plastic bottles, the minimum volume is 125 mL. For soil samples use plastic bags or glass containers. For waste samples use glass containers. Contact laboratory for sampling containers. |
Procedural Notes | Complete the analysis request form. Note which metals are needed, e.g., Lead, Arsenic, Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Mercury, RCRA Metals, etc. Include, at a minimum, an email address for contact information. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return (within 72 hours) to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Methamphetamine - Environmental Screening Wipes |
Test Explanation | Methamphetamine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that is mainly used as an illicit recreational drug. This test is an investigational tool for Local Health Departments to determine if a house or other property is contaminated with methamphetamine. The lab does not certify that a property is clean after remediation. |
Specimen Requirements | Environmental Wipe Samples to screen for Methamphetamine contamination will only be accepted from Local Health Departments and other government agencies. Contact:Amanda Scott, 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Materials needed:
Sampling Materials are provided upon request. |
Procedural Notes | Sampling procedure:
|
Shipping Instructions | Ship or hand deliver to: Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results normally are e-mailed to the submitter within 30 days. |
Title | Nitrate + Nitrite as N |
Test Explanation | All well owners are encouraged to test their water yearly for nitrates. High levels of nitrates may indicate a failing septic system or contamination from animal herds, fertilizers or landfills. The Nitrate + Nitrite test is a good indicator of overall water quality. Using Federal regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 141.23 (a) (4) (i)) as a guideline, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Nitrate as Nitrogen is 10.0 mg/L (ppm) and for Nitrite as Nitrogen is 1.0 mg/L (ppm). The health significance of nitrate above these levels applies to pregnant women, and infants below the age of six months. The major health effect associated with these levels is methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue-baby syndrome”. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples will be accepted from the public for a fee of $10.00 per sample plus $6.50 shipping and handling per order. Samples from State government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments will be accepted at no charge. Contact: |
Sampling Materials | Nitrate kits can be requested from the Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories Containers Area 317-921-5874. The kit contains: * Instruction form* Analysis request form* One 125mL plastic bottle with a filter paper and a small amount of Sulfuric Acid. |
Procedural Notes | Do not rinse the sample container or discard the acid preservation disk! The filter disk is saturated with 50% sulfuric acid (see precautions) and is used to preserve the sample for the analysis of total nitrate/nitrite. Flush the sample tap for five (5) minutes prior to collecting the sample. Reduce the flow of the water and fill the sample container to the shoulder of the bottle. Replace and tighten the cap to prevent sample leaking. Do not take the filter paper out. Complete the analysis request form. |
Shipping Instructions | Mail or return (within 72 hours) to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 30 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Nitrite Analysis |
Test Explanation | High levels of nitrites may indicate a failing septic system or contamination from fertilizers or landfills. Using Federal regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR 141.23 (a) (4) (i)) as a guideline, the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Nitrite as Nitrogen is 1.0 mg/L (ppm). The health significance of nitrite higher than this level applies to pregnant women and infants below the age of six months. The major health effect associated with these levels is methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue-baby syndrome”. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples from State government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments will be accepted at no charge. Contact: |
Sampling Materials | Nitrite kits can be requested from the Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories Containers Area 317-921-5874 or Containers@health.in.gov. The kit contains * Instruction form* Analysis request form* Ice pack* One 125 mL plastic bottle. |
Procedural Notes | Place the ice packs in the freezer overnight. Flush the sample tap for five (5) minutes prior to collecting the sample. Reduce the flow of the water and fill the sample container to the shoulder of the bottle. Replace and tighten the cap to prevent sample leaking. Complete the analysis request form. Place the sample bottle with the frozen ice pack and the analysis request form in the mailing container. |
Shipping Instructions | The sample must be delivered to the Indiana State Department of Health to allow the laboratory to receive and complete the test before the sample is 48 hours old. Mail or return to: |
Reporting and TAT | The report will be emailed/faxed or mailed within 15 days after receiving the sample. |
Title | Pesticides |
Test Explanation | The Pesticide method includes crop chemicals such as Atrazine that are used extensively in Indiana and may be found in well water from runoff. The drinking water limit for atrazine is 0.003 mg/L (ppm). Atrazine found above this level may cause cardiovascular or reproductive problems. The Pesticide Method can detect dozens of chemicals. Some of these compounds are known persistent organic pollutants (POP), classified among the "dirty dozen" and banned by the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for Pesticide analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana Department of Health and other government agencies. If you require a test for a specific pesticide, please ask. Contact: Amanda Scott 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Water must be collected in one liter glass bottles with teflon lined caps, both of which were previously rinsed with solvents. Solids are collected in solvent rinsed pint glass jars with clean aluminum foil between the jar and the cap. |
Procedural Notes | Sample Collection -- When sampling from a water tap, open the tap and allow the system to flush until the water temperature has stabilized (usually about two minutes). Adjust the flow so that it is smaller than the bottle opening, and collect the sample from the flowing stream. Keep samples sealed from collection time until analysis. When sampling from an open body of water, fill the sample container with water from a representative area. Sampling equipment, including automatic samplers, must be free of plastic tubing, gaskets, and other parts that may leach interfering analytes into the water sample. Automatic samplers that composite samples over time should use refrigerated glass sample containers if possible. Sample Dechlorination and Preservation -- All samples should be iced or refrigerated at 4°C and kept in the dark from the time of collection until extraction. Residual chlorine should be reduced at the sampling site by addition of 40-50mg of sodium sulfite (this may be added as a solid with stirring or shaking until dissolved) to each water sample. It is very important that the sample be dechlorinated prior to adding acid to lower the pH of the sample. Adding sodium sulfite and hydrochloric acid to the sample bottles prior to shipping to the sampling site is not permitted. Hydrochloric acid should be used at the sampling site to retard the microbiological degradation of some analytes in water. The sample pH is adjusted to <2 with 6 N hydrochloric acid. This is the same pH used in the extraction, and is required to support the recovery of acidic compounds like pentachlorophenol. If Cyanazine is to be determined, a separate sample must be collected. Cyanazine degrades in the sample when it is stored under acidic conditions or when sodium sulfite is present in the stored sample. Samples collected for Cyanazine determination MUST NOT be dechlorinated or acidified when collected. They should be iced or refrigerated as described above and analyzed within 14 days. However, these samples MUST be dechlorinated and acidified immediately prior to fortification with internal standards and surrogates, and extraction using the same quantities of acid and sodium sulfite described above. Prometon is not efficiently extracted from water at pH 2 due to what appears to be its ionization in solution under acidic conditions. In order to determine this analyte accurately, a separate sample must be collected and dechlorinated with sodium sulfite, but no acid should be added. At neutral pH, this compound is recovered from water with efficiency greater than 90%. For Water Samples - fill 2 of the one liter glass bottles to the top. For Solid - fill 1 or 2 of the pint glass jars with the solid. |
Shipping Instructions | Samples must be kept refrigerated at 4°C from the time of collection to the time of analysis. Samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 1 day of collection. Ship samples by an overnight service with ice packs and adequate padding to prevent breakage, or hand-deliver to the lab. Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 30 days. |
Title | Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water |
Test Explanation | The Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water analysis is useful in environmental health investigations to help identify the source of contamination as human or animal in drinking water or surface water. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples are accepted only from state agencies, local health departments, or institutions doing environmental health research. This analysis is not available to the general public. One Liter of water, preferrably filtered through glass fiber in the field, should be collected and kept cold until delivery. Samples should be received within 36 hours of collection. Please contact Amanda Scott at 317-921-5580 for further instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Samples are collected in specially cleaned 1 Liter amber glass bottles with teflon-lined caps or specially cleaned 1 Liter plastic bottles. This method detects low levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Sampling personnel must be gloved and should refrain from using caffeine, nicotine, and personal care products, including anti-bacterial soaps, the day before and the day of sample collection. Soils may be collected in glass bottles and should be kept cold until delivery. |
Procedural Notes | Waters need to be pre-filtered through glass fiber filters before laboratory preparation. Samples are preserved at the laboratory with EDTA. |
Shipping Instructions | Samples are delivered in person to the laboratory or shipped overnight with cold packs. Indiana Department of Health Laboratories |
Reporting and TAT | Reports are emailed or mailed within 30 days of receipt. Results for water samples are reported in ng/L (parts per trillion). |
Title | Radioactive Materials Collection and Transport |
Test Explanation | The Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Water analysis is useful in environmental health investigations to help identify the source of contamination as human or animal in drinking water or surface water. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for radioactive material testing must be submitted by a County Health Department, a State Agency, or a Federal Agency. Contact: Thomas Cominsky 317-921-5515 and Mary Ann Hagerman 317-921-5553 for further instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Sampling materials can vary widely depending upon the material that is to be sampled. |
Procedural Notes | To Collect Wipe Samples from an XRF Lead Paint Analyzer to check for radiation leakage you need plastic bags, a marker and alcohol wipes: The following information for each wipe is required:
Wipe the Lead Analyzer with an alcohol wipe and place into a labeled Ziploc-type plastic bag. Provide a blank alcohol wipe in a different Ziploc-type plastic bag and label that bag"Blank Wipe". To Collect Water Samples: Unknowns Samples: |
Shipping Instructions | Place sample(s) in an appropriate shipping container and ship or deliver to: Indiana Department of Health Laboratories |
Reporting and TAT | Analyte dependent. |
Title | Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds |
Test Explanation | The SVOC test includes EPA regulated Synthetic Organic Chemicals on the National Primary Drinking Water list, banned pesticides and insecticides, and PAHs, Poly-aromatic Hydrocarbons found in coal and in tar deposits. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for SVOC analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana State Department of Health and other government agencies. If you require a test for a specific organic chemical, please ask. Contact: Amanda Scott 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Water must be collected in one liter glass bottles with teflon lined caps, both of which were previously rinsed with solvents. Solids are collected in solvent rinsed pint glass jars with clean aluminum foil between the jar and the cap. |
Procedural Notes | Water - fill 2 of the provided one liter glass bottles to the top. |
Shipping Instructions | Samples must be kept refrigerated at 4°C from the time of collection to the time of analysis. Samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 1 day of collection. Ship samples by an overnight service with ice packs and adequate padding to prevent breakage, or hand-deliver to the lab. Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 30 days. |
Title | Volatile Organic Compounds |
Test Explanation | Volatile Organic Compounds include the EPA regulated Drinking Water Volatile Organic Contaminants and Total Trihalomethanes. This test also includes compounds commonly found in gasoline. Many of these volatile organic compounds are suspected human carcinogens. |
Specimen Requirements | Samples for VOC analysis will only be accepted from the Indiana State Department of Health and other government agencies. Contact: Amanda Scott 317-921-5580 for sample containers and instructions. |
Sampling Materials | Sample Containers -- 40ml screw cap vials each equipped with a PTFE-faced silicon septum. |
Procedural Notes | For Water Samples: When sampling from a water tap, open the tap and allow the system to flush until the water temperature has stabilized (usually about 10 min). Adjust the flow so that it is smaller than the bottle opening, and collect the sample from the flowing stream. When sampling from an open body of water, fill a 1-quart wide-mouth bottle or 1-liter beaker with sample from a representative area, and carefully fill duplicate sample bottles from the 1-quart container. |
Shipping Instructions | The samples must be chilled to 4°C on the day of collection and maintained at that temperature until analysis. Field samples that will not be received at the laboratory on the day of collection must be packaged for shipment with sufficient ice to ensure that they will be at 4°C on arrival at the laboratory. Indiana Department of Health |
Reporting and TAT | Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 15 days. |
