Water Testing

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

• Anyone
• Well Owners
• IDOH Oral Health Program
• State government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments

Contact: Bharat Patel
Email: Bpatel@health.in.gov

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:

• Instruction form
• Analysis request form
• One 125mL plastic bottle.

Order kits using the link below:
Access Indiana: Home

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

IDOHChemistryLab@health.in.gov

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 Quincy Bell, QBell@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
Metals Laboratory
550 West 16th St, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2218

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:
Bharat Patel
Phone: 317-921-5586
Email: Bpatel@isdh.in.gov

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.

Online Order Form

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
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.

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 Mark Starzynski at 317-921-5553 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
Suite B
550 W. 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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

Radionuclides in Drinking Water

Test Explanation

All Community and Municipal Public Water Systems must test for radionuclides as directed by IDEM. Testing is on a schedule based upon your water supply and for most systems this is every 3, 6 or 9 years, although some systems may be done annually or in rare cases, quarterly.

Drinking Water can be tested for private water supplies and well water sources that are not reported to IDEM. The fee for a private submitter includes a screen for gross alpha and gross beta particles, Uranium and Radium-228.

Radionuclides include Radium and Uranium. Radium causes cancer when consumed in high doses. Radium is a chronic contaminant. Long-term exposure to high levels of radium can cause an increased incidence of bone, liver, or breast cancer. Radium is a naturally occurring contaminant in drinking water due to its presence in most major rock types found in Indiana. Uranium also occurs naturally in Indiana. Excess uranium ingestion is associated with kidney disease.

Specimen Requirements

The entire container must be filled and received at the lab within 5 days of collection or the sample will be rejected. A Chain of Custody must be completed included with the submission.

Please call 317-921-5500 and ask for the Radiochemistry Lab if you have technical questions.

Sampling Materials

Sample Collection Containers will be sent after an order is received.

Drinking Water samples for compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) mandated sampling schedule are collected in a provided 1 gallon cubitainers. A separate 1 gallon bottle is required for each Point of Entry (POE) of your water system. The laboratory will provide sampling kits at $100 per POE plus a $6.50 shipping charge for the entire order.

Procedural Notes

IDEM will contact Public Water Supplies about their sampling needs.

For Public Water Supplies, only the mandated tests will be performed. Testing for systems serving under 100,000 people will include gross alpha and gross beta activity, Uranium and Radium-228 (and Radium-226 if needed).

Test results go directly into IDEM's reporting system.

Shipping Instructions

Collect and ship samples to arrive at the laboratory within 5 days. Use a service such as UPS to guarantee arrival within the specified time. Be sure the corresponding Chain of Custody is included in each box shipped.

Ship to:
Indiana Department of Health Laboratory
Attn: Radiochemistry Lab - Water Sample
550 W. 16th Street
Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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:
Bharat Patel
Phone: 317-921-5586
Email: Bpatel@isdh.in.gov

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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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 Quincy Bell, QBell@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:
Indiana Department of Health Laboratories Chemistry Laboratory
550 West 16th St, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2218

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: Mark Starzynski 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.
Solid - fill 1 of the provided 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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

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

• Anyone
• Well Owners
• IDOH Oral Health Program
• State government agencies, State Institutions and County Health Departments

Contact: Bharat Patel
Email: Bpatel@health.in.gov

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:

• Instruction form
• Analysis request form
• One 125mL plastic bottle.

Order kits using the link below:
Access Indiana: Home

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

IDOHChemistryLab@health.in.gov

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: Mark Starzynski 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:
Collect all samples in duplicate. Fill sample bottles to overflowing. No air bubbles should pass through the sample as the bottle is filled, or be trapped in the sample when the bottle is sealed. Adjust the pH of the samples to < 2 by carefully adding 4 drops of 1:1 HCl for each 40ml of sample volume. Seal the sample bottles, PTFE-face down, and shake vigorously for 1 min.

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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

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:
Bharat Patel
Phone: 317-921-5586
Email: Bpatel@isdh.in.gov

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:
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.

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 Quincy Bell, QBell@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 Quincy Bell, QBell@health.IN.gov or 317-921-5559, 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. 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
550 West 16th St, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2218

Reporting and TAT

The report will be emailed within 30 days after receiving the sample.

Title

Lead in Dust Wipes

Test Explanation

Specimen Requirements

Sampling Materials

Please purchase Vials and Ghost Wipes. Email  Qbell@health.IN.gov for questions.
Product: Environmental Express 70mL Cups with Attached Lids, 400pk
Item #: SC601

Product: Environmental Express GhostWipe® SC4250 Moist Wipe, 15 x 15 cm, Individually Sealed; 1000/Pk from Environmental Express
Item# SC4250

Procedural Notes

Shipping Instructions

Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to:

IDOH Laboratory
ATTN: Environmental Lead
550 W 16th St – Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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.

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.
Lead in paint chips is an EPA regulated parameter.  The following is the test result action limit set by the EPA: <0.5% (with paint chip sample of all layers) or less than 5000 ppm.

Specimen Requirements

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.
2) Try not to include the underlying substrate (like the wallboard).
3) Try to sample a sufficiently large portion to permit several analyses; the minimum sample size is 2 grams (approximately a teaspoon full).
4) Identify each sample at each location. Simple numbering is best.
Include a completed Paint Chip Sample Submission Form. Record any deviations from this sampling procedure.

Shipping Instructions

Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to:

IDOH Laboratory
Attn: Environmental Lead
550 W 16th St - Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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.

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.
Lead in soil is an EPA regulated parameter.  
The action limit set by the EPA is 400 ppm for high-contact play areas.

Specimen Requirements

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.
2) A sample may be a composite sample of between two and four subsamples collected in the same area.
3) Push the digger into the soil to a depth of approximately two inches. 4) Place the sample into a clean plastic bag.  The total sample size should be about 100-200 grams (approximately 7-14 tablespoons).
4) Label the plastic bag with a sample identification number, date, address, name, and location.
5)  Wipe down or wash off equipment before collecting each sample.  This is necessary to avoid cross contamination.
6) Complete an IDOH Lead in Soil Sample Submission Form for each soil sample collected. Record any deviations from this sampling procedure.

Shipping Instructions

Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to:

IDOH Laboratory
Attn: Environmental Lead
550 W 16th St - Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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.

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 Quincy Bell, QBell@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
Chemistry Laboratory
550 West 16th Street
Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2218

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:

1. 3” x 3” 12-ply cotton gauze
2. Methanol - Gas Chromatography grade
3. Cardstock or a Teflon® sheet - Disposable
4. 40 ml VOC vial with septum closure
5. Latex or Nitrile gloves

Sampling Materials are provided upon request.

Procedural Notes

Sampling procedure:

• A rigid template (10 cm x 10 cm square cutout) is made from card stock or Teflon® sheet to ensure that a constant area is wiped. A single-use cardstock or Teflon® sheet is required to eliminate cross contamination when taking multiple samples.
• A new pair of Latex or Nitrile gloves must be used for each sample to avoid cross-contamination.* The 3” x 3” 12-ply cotton gauze is wetted with Methanol (about 3-5 ml) on-site. Before wiping, squeeze out and discard any excess Methanol from the gauze.
• The testing area (100 cm²) is wiped using either a concentric or side-to-side motion.
• The 3” x 3” 12-ply cotton gauze is then inserted into the provided sample container (40 ml vial).* The sample container is securely capped and kept refrigerated (<6°C). Refrigeration or ice is recommended as soon as possible.
• An unused sample of the Methanol-wetted cotton gauze should be placed in a separate sample container as a Procedural Blank and submitted with every set of samples, along with a completed chain of custody form.

Shipping Instructions

Ship or hand deliver to:

Indiana Department of Health
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

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:
Bharat Patel
Phone: 317-921-5586
Email: Bpatel@isdh.in.gov

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.

Order Form

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
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.

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:
Bharat Patel
Phone: 317-921-5586
Email: Bpatel@isdh.in.gov

Sampling Materials

Nitrite kits can be requested from the Indiana State Department of Health Laboratories Containers Area 317-921-5874 or Containers@isdh.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:
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 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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

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 Mark Starzynski at 317-921-5553 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
Suite B
550 W. 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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: Jane Smith at 317-921-5515 or ask for Radiochemistry at 317-921-5500 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:

• Location: Your County Health Dept. with contact information
• Manufacture and model of the analyzer
• Analyzer Unit Serial number
• Source Isotope
• Source Date
• Source Activity on that date

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:
The volume required can vary and glass or plastic may be required for sample integrity to be maintained. Contact Jane Smith at 317-921-5515 and the proper sample container will be shipped to your facility.

Unknowns Samples:
Contact: Jane Smith at 317-921-5515 or ask for Radiochemistry at 317-921-5500 for further instructions.

Shipping Instructions

Place sample(s) in an appropriate shipping container and ship or deliver to:

Indiana Department of Health Laboratories
Attn: Radiochemistry Laboratory
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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: Mark Starzynski 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.
Solid - fill 1 of the provided 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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

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: Mark Starzynski 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:
Collect all samples in duplicate. If samples contain residual chlorine and measurement of the concentrations of disinfection by-products (trihalomethanes, etc.) at the time of sample collection is desired, add about 25mg of ascorbic acid to the sample bottle before filling. Fill sample bottles to overflowing, but take care not to flush out the rapidly dissolving ascorbic acid. No air bubbles should pass through the sample as the bottle is filled, or be trapped in the sample when the bottle is sealed. Adjust the pH of the duplicate samples to < 2 by carefully adding 4 drops of 1:1 HCl for each 40ml of sample volume. Seal the sample bottles, PTFE-face down, and shake vigorously for 1 min.

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
Chemistry Laboratories
550 W. 16th Street, Suite B
Indianapolis, In 46202

Reporting and TAT

Results will be e-mailed to the submitter normally within 15 days.

Title

Lead in Water for Lead Assessors

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.
Lead in water can be a source of lead-poisoning in children. Lead is an EPA regulated parameter.  
There is no safe level of lead in water, but the action limit set by the EPA is 0.015 ppm.

Specimen Requirements

Samples are accepted ONLY from Divisions of the Indiana Department of Health, State Government Agencies or from County Health Departments.
Questions: Contact Quincy Bell, Qbell@health.IN.gov.

Sampling Materials

Collect drinking water from kitchen if possible or main source of drinking water. Please contact Quincy Bell, Qbell@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.
Please note on the form if the property is on a private well (they do not pay for their water).  We include analysis for Arsenic on any private well.
Complete the analysis request form.  Complete an IDOH Sample Submission Form for Water.

Shipping Instructions

Place sample container(s) in an appropriate shipping box or padded envelope. Bring / Ship to:

IDOH Laboratory
Attn: Environmental Lead
550 W 16th St - Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

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.