Three specialized laboratory teams perform
environmental (water) microbiology, inorganic chemistry,
organic chemistry, radiochemistry, and trace metals testing
in the
following
areas:
Drinking Water: Drinking
water is tested for toxic contaminants to assure public safety
and compliance with drinking water standards. Our primary
customers are the Division of Drinking Water (Utah Department
of Environmental Quality) and public water utilities.
Water Quality: Water from streams,
lakes, underground sources, and waste effluents are tested
to determine if
these meet water quality and permit
standards. Our primary customer is the Division of Water
Quality (Utah Department of Environmental Quality). Other
state agencies such as the Divisions of Wildlife Resources
and Utah Parks and Recreation are also served.
Hazardous Waste: Hazardous wastes are
tested in support of state and local hazardous waste investigations
and environmental cleanup programs.
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks: Soil
and ground water are tested for the presence of petroleum
products for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
Emergency Response: The laboratory maintains
the capacity to perform emergency testing of samples from
chemical spills. These services are available to the Utah
Department of Environmental Quality, Utah Department of Health,
Division
of Comprehensive Emergency Management, and local health departments.
Air Quality: Ambient air samples are
tested for lead and air particulates for the Division of
Air Quality (Utah Department of Environmental Quality).
Chemical Terrorism: In conjunction
with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), our laboratory
staff
are working on protocols for safe sample handling and methods
for detection and quantification of chemical agents in clinical
samples in response to a chemical terrorism incident.
