The Rabies Laboratory at the NCSLPH is the sole source for diagnostic rabies testing in North Carolina. This service is available to all health care providers within the state.

Only animals that have potentially exposed a person, household pet, or livestock to rabies should be submitted. Exposure is defined as a bite or contamination of scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes with infectious saliva. Individuals wishing to submit small rodents, rabbits, or surveillance animals must receive prior approval from either the Laboratory or the State Public Health Veterinarian/epidemiologist on-call. Submission of specimens for rabies testing must meet the established testing criteria. Specimens submitted for testing that fail to meet the testing policy will be rejected and destroyed.

The Environmental Organic Chemistry Unit analyzes various sample matrices, such as water and soil for a variety of organic chemicals. Eligible submitters include health departments and certain governmental agencies. In general, all water samples should be taken in one (1) liter amber bottles or 40mL glass vials supplied by the Laboratory.

Organic analyses are diverse in nature and vary greatly in complexity and analytical requirements. It is difficult to state precisely when a report for a particular test will be completed. Some samples may receive priority treatment because of a critical health concern, an imminent hazard in the workplace, the instability of a particular sample, or other factors. Generally, results are complete within three weeks of the sample collection date. Public and private water system laboratory reports are held for five years and then destroyed.

The Environmental Inorganic Chemistry Unit analyzes a variety of samples such as water, wastes and soils. Water samples from both public and private water systems are examined for chemical and/or physical parameters.

A private water system (homeowner) can obtain chemical analyses from this Laboratory only if the sample is submitted through the local health department. These samples are routinely analyzed for alkalinity, arsenic, calcium, chloride, copper, hardness, lead, iron, magnesium, manganese, pH, fluoride, and zinc. DHHS form #1441 must be submitted with each sample.

A private water system can obtain a fluoride analysis from this Laboratory only if the sample is submitted through a local health department, a dentist or physician. DHHS form #1840 must be submitted with each sample.

Nitrate/Nitrite samples must be shipped to the laboratory cold. Analysis of the sample must begin within 48 hours of collection (plan collection time and transportation accordingly). A special kit is available requiring DHHS form #4017.

Health Departments may order Inorganic sample kits for routine chemical analysis, fluoride analysis, or lead analysis may using DHHS form #1345 (Laboratory Supplies Requisition).

Physicians and dentists may order fluoride sample kits using DHHS form #2882.

The Environmental Radiochemistry Unit analyzes environmental samples submitted by public water systems, local health departments, the Environmental Health Section, Solid Waste Management, and Radiation Protection. Natural and manmade radiation levels in air, water, milk, food and other media, are currently monitored. These environmental surveillance programs are outlined below. All parameters are not tested on each sample.

The Environmental Inorganic Chemistry laboratory analyzes paint, soil and dust wipe samples for lead content in support of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Samples are collected in approved containers by the field staff of this program and by environmental health specialists within the local health department, and submitted to the laboratory for testing. The Inorganic Chemistry laboratory is AIHA-LAP, LLC accredited (Laboratory No. 100595) for lead analysis in these three matrices.

Water samples may also be collected for lead analysis as part of an investigation upon request of the field staff representative. The results for these samples can be found under the Inorganic Chemistry Sample Test Results link.

All samples for coliform analysis must be collected in regulation, sterile bottles supplied by this Laboratory. Complete directions for collecting a proper sample are found on the back of the request form included with each sample kit. Directions must be followed closely to ensure that the sample is not contaminated during collection. Samples must reach this Laboratory and be processed within a maximum of 30 hours after collection. Samples arriving after 30 hours will be rejected as unsuitable for analysis. Each sample must be properly identified with a completed form. A minimum of 100 ml is required for drinking water samples submitted for testing of total coliforms (fill to or slightly above the line). For non-drinking water samples submitted for both fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus, the bottle should be filled to the neck.

Non-drinking water samples should be refrigerated during a maximum transport time of six hours. A special courier may be required to deliver the samples to this Laboratory. Arrangements for these analyses should be made with the Laboratory by telephone at least 24 hours in advance.

The Environmental Microbiology Unit provides analyses of dairy products on reference samples received from the Milk Sanitation Branch. Proper shipping measures must be observed to maintain integrity of samples and to meet the regulatory requirements of the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shippers (NCIMS). Dairy products may be analyzed by the following procedures:

1. Pretrifilm Aerobic Plate Count
2. Petrifilm Coliform County and Petrifilm High-Sensitivity Coliform Count
3. Inhibitory Substances Test
4. Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count
5. Alkaline Phosphatase Test
6. Milk Containers

Non-drinking water samples should be refrigerated during a maximum transport time of six hours. A special courier may be required to deliver the samples to this Laboratory. Arrangements for these analyses should be made with the Laboratory by telephone at least 24 hours in advance.

The Environmental Microbiology Unit performs bacteriological analyses on water samples from both public and private water systems. Samples are examined for the presence of the coliform group of bacteria, which are indicators of fecal contamination. Water is not examined for pathogenic bacteria, as the prospect of isolating them from water is very remote.

Public water system samples are submitted to this Laboratory by the Water Supply Section. DHHS form #3757 must be sent with the sample.