MCPHD > Programs > Population Health > Public Health Laboratory

Public Health Laboratory

PH Laboratory

The Public Health Laboratory provides clinical, environmental microbiology and chemistry laboratory services to all Marion County Public Health Department programs and other local health agencies. The lab also analyzes specimens from private citizens.

 

OUR MISSION: We produce and share accurate and timely analytical data on personal and environmental health using cost-effective services.

OUR VISION: We are vital, dependable and integral component of the public health team in Marion County, Indiana supporting the mission of the Marion County Public Health Department.

 

Environmental Chemistry

The Environmental Chemistry Laboratory provides testing services for the Departments of Water Quality & Hazardous Materials Management, Housing and Neighborhood Health and Food and Consumer Safety, which are all located within the Bureau of Environmental Health.

This laboratory is certified by the Indiana State Department of Health for chemical analysis of drinking water (Certificate #C-49-04). The laboratory is also certified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for the analysis of lead in soil, dust wipes, paint and for bulk asbestos analysis (Certification #100944).

Tests are performed on the following: surface waters, ground/well waters, air monitoring and solid samples.

Microbiology

The Environmental Microbiology Laboratory is certified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) to test for bacteriological analysis of foods (Certification #100944). This laboratory is also certified by the Indiana State Department of Health to test for bacteriological analysis of drinking water (Certificate #M-49-2).

The laboratory is also certified by the AIHA (Certification #100944) for the analysis of food samples. Tests include general Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7 and other organisms of common concern to public health.*

Water testing performed in this laboratory includes coliforms, E. coli and standard plate counts for such samples as well waters, swimming pools, surface water and city water**.

 

* Please contact the Food Safety Department at 317.221.2222 for questions.

 

FAQs

Please go to the Lab Service Room on the 1st Floor of the Marion County Public Health Department located on 3838 N. Rural St., Indianapolis, IN 46205. Business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. You will need to pick up the bottles and Chain of Custody forms at this location. Payment (cash or check) for bottles is expected at this point. Then, you can collect your sample and return it back to the Lab Service Room within business hours and hold times established in the collection instruction of the Chain of Custody form.
Please contact Water Quality at 317.221.2266.
Water Quality Bottle form
Please contact Water Quality at 317.221.2266. For more information about disinfecting your well and other fact sheets, visit http://marionhealth.org/private-well-program/
it can take 2-3 days to receive bacteria testing results and up to 14 days to receive chemical (anion/metal) testing results.
Yes, we offer garden soil testing. It is $30 per Ziploc baggie/site. We test for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and pH. Results can take up to 14 days to receive.
Tap/Well Water Testing form
Soil Sample Collection Instructions form
Garden Safe Well
Please submit your sample along with an IDEM form (can be located in the Lab Service Room) and the Marion County Public Health Department Chain of Custody. Include your PWS ID# on the lab’s Chain of Custody and indicate that your results must be sent to IDEM.
Contact your city water utility or water provider. Citizen’s Energy Group’s Water Wizard http://www.citizensenergygroup.com/My-Home/Utility-Services/Water/Water-Wizard?Q=4,5