Ohio Public Health Laboratory

Overview

The Public Health Laboratory was established in 1898 to function as the State Reference Laboratory for human-related diseases. The laboratory provides reference testing, consultation, education, training and preparedness in support of public health programs and medical services.

Services

When there are outbreaks of diseases or natural or man-made disasters, the laboratory provides critical services to identify and reference bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, toxins and blood specimens. The lab also provides assessment of selected environmental risks, screens for diseases of public health interest, laboratory proficiency surveys and education programs. The laboratory training and preparedness services reflect a new service line for the lab. This new line of service offers clinical laboratory personnel as well as first-responders (e.g., fire departments, police departments, hazardous materials teams, and the FBI) educational and training services on personal safety, communication strategies and safe handling, packaging, shipping and transport of potential select agent samples.

Programs within the Laboratory

• Alcohol and Drug Testing
• Newborn screening services
• Radiological chemistry services
• Reference microbiology services
• Laboratory training and preparedness services

Mailing Address

Phone: 1-(888) 634-5227 / 1-(888) ODH-LABS

Fax: (614) 752-9863

E-mail: ODHLabs@odh.ohio.gov

Last Reviewed: March 2015