HETL Laboratory Sections

LICENSES: Independent Clinical Laboratory, Substance of Abuse Testing Laboratory, Health Screening Laboratory Service,

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Senior Scientist:	Dr. Kenneth G. Pote, Ph.D.	287-2703
State Microbiologist:	Dr. Tsun Kong Lee	287-1721
Contact Person: Virology/Bacteriology:	Lori Webber	287-1722
Contact Person: TB/Mycology:	Julie Crosby	287-1706

Downloadable Forms

Virology/Serology Section : Identifies viral agents from clinical specimens for herpes simplex virus, influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza viruses, enterovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster and mumps. Performs serotyping of all influenza isolates.  Serologic testing includes a wide variety of viral and non-viral agents such as rubella, measles, mumps, chickenpox, HIV-1, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, hepatitis B, and C, Toxoplasma gondii , cryptococcus, and arboviruses including West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Saint Louis Encephalitis viruses.
Bacteriology Section: Process urine and genital specimens for Chlamydia and gonorrhoeae by amplified DNA probe; analyze foods for foodborne bacteria that cause disease; identifies miscellaneous bacteria as well as those that require special procedures; Bacteria causing whooping cough, meningitis, plague and brucellosis, typhoid fever, bacillary dysentery, Yersiniosis, botulism and gas gangrene. Cryptosporidium and Giardia testing can be performed routinely. During outbreak situations, please call the bacteriology section to make arrangements for any parasitology testing.
TB/Mycology/Rabies Section: Performs the identification of all mycobacterium species, drug susceptibility on Mycobacterium tuberculosis , identification of all mycology specimens and rabies diagnosis in animals.

Directory of Microbiological Services

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY: Contact person: Chris Montagna 287-1708

Program Support Activities
Public Safety Solid Dose Drug identification for law enforcement agencies, certification of analysts for drug identification, blood and breath alcohol analyses, certification of phlebotomists for blood alcohol testing, certification of analysts for alcohol testing, approval and repair of intoxilyzers, certification of analysts for OUI-drug testing, agriculture harness racing horse/driver drug toxicology, Maine Yankee Radiation monitoring, radon/radiation testing.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANICS: Contact person: Jim Curlett 287-6433

The Organics section is a combination of the pesticides/organics laboratory of the Public Health Lab and the Organics section of the DEP lab. Utilizing highly sophisticated techniques such as gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, this section analyzes water samples, soils, leachates, and other samples for hydrocarbons such as gasoline, organic chemicals such as PCBs and volatiles, and for pesticides.

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ENVIRONMENTAL INORGANICS AND NUTRIENTS:
Contact person: Tom Crosby 287-1710

The Inorganic and Nutrient Analysis section comprises much of the former water laboratory section as well as the DEP heavy metals and nutrients labs. Two distinct sections are included: (1.) Drinking Water and (2.) Environmental. Testing includes drinking water from both public utilities and from private wells, for safety and for other contaminants. It also tests a large range of environmental samples for similar contaminants.

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LEAD SECTION: Contact person: Frank Ricker 287-6649

Maine's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (MCLPPP) has implemented the Centers for Disease Control's recommendation to screen for childhood lead poisoning using blood lead level analysis. Consistent with State Law, 22 MRSA Section 1317, the HETL provides all blood lead testing in Maine. In addition to blood lead analyses, environmental testing is also provided. All data associated with a child (blood and/or environmental) can be linked to provide adequate case management.

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