The Environmental Biology Laboratory ensures the health and safety of NYS citizens by conducting routine testing of drinking and recreational waters, carrying out research and development studies, and participating in various academic programs.

Routine Testing: The Environmental Biology Laboratory is the designated reference laboratory for several state and federal agencies including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP), and NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). In that capacity the laboratory analyzes water samples submitted by state agencies and local health departments for organism’s indicative of fecal pollution (thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, enterococci) and overall water quality (heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms), Legionella species, microcystin (a toxin produced by cyanobacteria), Cryptosporidium species, and Giardia species. In addition, the laboratory analyzes cannabis samples for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and molds.

Analyses/Tests Routinely Performed

• Total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli in potable and non-potable waters*
• Heterotrophic bacteria in potable waters*
• Enterococci in recreational waters*
• Cryptosporidium, Giardia (EPA Method 1623)
• Legionella enumeration in potable and non-potable waters (ISO 11731*)
• Cyanobacterial toxins (including EPA 546*)
• Microscopic identification of phytoplankton, zooplankton
• Modified Microscopic particulate analysis
• Microbial source tracking (MST)
• Microbial contaminants in Cannabis (NYS Cannabis Reference Laboratory Program)

*The laboratory is accredited as EPA NY00047; ELAP 10765; Florida DOH E37909 for analysis of potable and non-potable waters, as applicable.

Proficiency Testing: Our laboratory also acts as the water bacteriology proficiency test provider for ELAP-accredited labs and is involved in the production and verification of proficiency test samples twice a year (late April and September/October). Full-volume, aqueous samples are used to test the ability of a laboratory to identify bacterial indicator organisms in potable and non-potable waters using approved technologies. A complete test panel comprises 16 samples. Additional information and applications can be found at the New York State Environmental Laboratory Approval Program_[1].

Research and Development: The development of rapid and accurate methods for the detection of waterborne pathogens, or their indicators, prior to the outbreak of disease is a major research focus in this laboratory. We incorporate the following techniques into our research efforts: culture (plating, enzyme substrate), real-time PCR, digital PCR, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microscopy. Recent research projects include: 1) validating qPCR-based methods for the rapid detection of waterborne enterococci, and E. coli, impacting New York State recreational waters 2) developing a digital PCR method for detecting cyanotoxin genes in NYS recreational waters (LINK_[2]), 3) developing qPCR methods for identifying sources of fecal contamination in recreational and drinking waters and microbial contaminants in Cannabis products.

Academic Programs: Our laboratory members enjoy playing a role in educating the future of public health science and are mentors for the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Fellowship Program. Our Fellows have been involved in various projects including developing rapid methods for detecting and enumerating cyanotoxin genes, Legionella, and fecal indicator bacteria.