As the EPA-designated reference laboratory for NY State, the Environmental Organic Chemical Analysis Laboratory analyzes water, and air samples submitted by state agencies and local health departments for a variety of organic environmental contaminants.

Analysis/tests routinely performed:

• Volatile organic compounds in drinking water

• Pesticides/herbicides in drinking water

• Emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane, in drinking water.

• Screens for hydrocarbon contamination associated with fuel spills in drinking water

• Organic disinfection byproducts in drinking water

• Volatile compounds in indoor and ambient air, such as those specifically associated with dry cleaning solvents

Additional testing capabilities:

• Analysis of pharmaceuticals in effluents from sewage treatment plants and in drinking water supplies

• Analysis of semi-volatile organic compounds in environmental samples

• Analysis of plasticizers, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in drinking water

• Analysis of health emergency response samples related to environmental spills, fires, and terrorist threats involving actual or potential toxic organic chemical releases into environmental matrices

• Participation in the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) to assess potential contamination in food products and screen unknown toxic chemicals

The laboratory is accredited as EPA NY00009, ELAP 10763, Florida DOH E37910 for the analysis of various organic contaminants in potable water, nonpotable water, and air. The laboratory is also accredited as CLIA# 33D0654341 and PFI# 1067_[1] for the analysis of organic contaminants in clinical specimens.

Academic Programs: Several laboratory staff are faculty members of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany. Graduate courses in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology are offered by laboratory staff. Programs leading to the MS and PhD degrees are supported through mentoring and providing research opportunities, all of which give students invaluable experience and knowledge of the operation of a major public health laboratory. Opportunities for postdoctoral training in environmental organic chemistry are also provided, which allow young scientists to advance their careers in environmental research. 

Research and Development: Ongoing research activities include biomonitoring of organic compounds including PCBs, poly-brominated diphenyl ethers, perfluoroalkylsulfonates and carboxylates by analysis of human specimens, analysis of pharmaceuticals in effluents from sewage treatment plants and in drinking water supplies, and the determination of the environmental distribution of organic chemicals derived from industrial activity and personal care products. Recent research also includes the development of methods to monitor toxins released from harmful algal blooms, and a survey of the impacts of steroids and tire rubber compounds in runoff water.

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