Environmental Sciences Inorganic Chemistry Unit

Inorganic Chemistry | Trace Metals | Conventional Chemistry | Certification

Since 1903, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) has provided quality analytical services, research and teaching. As part of the University of Wisconsin, the laboratory is dedicated to education and serving the people of Wisconsin, and our governmental partners. Often, the work of the WSLH reaches outside the State boundaries to meet research objectives and to provide services for government customers throughout the nation.

The WSLH is located in Madison, Wisconsin in a new, state-of-the-art 36,000 square foot laboratory. The WSLH is nationally recognized as one of the top public health laboratories and one of only two such laboratories in the United States affiliated with a major university.

The WSLH offers a wide range of inorganic chemical testing services to support the programs and research of the academic institutions, government agencies and municipalities. These services include but are not limited to:

• Environmental testing to evaluate the impact on runoff to rivers and lakes
• Monitoring of mercury and other trace metal contaminants in precipitation and lakes that are of potential risk to acid rain,
• The testing of fish for trace metals to help our governmental partners prepare consumption advisories for Wisconsin citizens,
• Testing of ultra-trace metals in natural surface waters in Wisconsin and other mid-western states to support geochemistry research of the University of Wisconsin.
• Testing associated with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The WSLH also offers testing services to private citizens for key contaminates that are of special public health importance. These tests generally include those needed to assess the safety of home wells.

The Inorganic Chemistry Unit is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of the Interim National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under the Laboratory Certification Program, and has applied for National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation with the state of Florida. A complete Quality Assurance Program is maintained to help assure that our customers are provided with high quality results.

The following are links that will provide more information about programs and services offered by the Inorganic Chemistry Unit:

• Research initiatives and ultra-trace metals testing facilities
• Conventional Chemistry Instrumentation

Laboratory Certification

• Laboratory Certification
• Wisconsin Certified Lab Lists