Author: jan

Environmental Science Day – Feb. 26, 2026

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faded photo of tress in a forest with white text overlaid on the photo

 

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding Environmental Science Day on February 26, 2026.

 

REGISTER to receive streaming link

After you register, you will receive an email from Microsoft Teams with the streaming link to watch online. (NOTE: In-person spots are full.)

For more information on the event, please contact Jake Balczewski (WSLH) or Becca Fahney (DNR)

 

Tentative Agenda (as of 02/23/26 – agenda subject to change)

Time (approximate) Presentation Title Speaker
9:00 AM Welcome to 2026 Environmental Science Day Rudy Johnson, WSLH Director
9:15 AM KEYNOTE: Contaminants in the Ecosystem: PFAS Bioaccumulation in Traditional and Ecological Food Resources Across the Ceded Territory Gavin Dehnert, UW Sea Grant, Emerging Contaminants Scientist
10:00 AM Monitoring PFAS in Maple Sap and Syrup Eve Milusich, UW Sea Grant, Graduate Student
10:15 AM Updates and accomplishments related to PFAS in the surface waters of WI Pat Gorski, DNR, Research Scientist
10:30 AM BREAK
10:45 AM WellTap – One Year On Jordan Murray, DHS, Groundwater Toxicologist
11:00 AM Wildfire Impacts to PM2.5 Data Pam Foy Gilmore, DNR, Air Monitoring Quality Assurance Coordinator
11:15 AM Metals in Groundwater at Small C&D Landfills Nathan Coller, DNR, Hydrogeologist
11:30 AM Building an accessible lead isotope database for resolving childhood lead poisoning cases Arika Hawkins, WSLH APHL Fellow / Chemist, and Meagan Ankney, WSLH Scientist
11:45 AM Wisconsin State Biomonitoring Program: Assessing Disproportionate Exposure to Environmental Chemicals among Rural Communities Rick Burke, DHS, Epidemiologist
12:00 PM LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
1:00 PM KEYNOTE: Making the Case: Environmental Samples in Enforcement Andrea Gruen, DNR, Environmental Enforcement Specialist
1:45 PM Large Volume Sampling – A tool for investigating origins of fecal contamination in water Libby Whelan, WSLH Microbiologist
2:00 PM Wastewater Disease Surveillance at the 2025 NFL Draft Oliver Long, WSLH Microbiologist
2:15 PM Lake Superior Nearshore Monitoring Ellen Coffman, DNR, Lake Superior Sediment and Monitoring Coordinator
2:30 PM BEOH and SLH: Stories from the Field Wendy Fall, DHS, Public Health Educator
2:45 PM Wait, what? The CER? How the Chemical Emergency Response Section can support your mission Mason Shields, WSLH, Chemical Emergency Response Chemist
3:00 PM Closing and Wrap-Up of 2026 Environmental Science Day and transition to Lab Tours Becca Fahney, DNR Lab Coordinator

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2026 Holiday Schedule

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Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations due to the observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.

The table below lists the hours of operations for our Clinical Specimen Receiving departments.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

DATE

2601 Agriculture Drive

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone: 608-224-4229

465 Henry Mall

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone: 608-262-6547
Saturday, January 17, 2026 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM 7:00 AM – Noon
Sunday, January 18, 2026 CLOSED CLOSED
Monday, January 19, 2026 CLOSED 7:00 AM – Noon

Be Well Informed Online Tool Helps Interpret Water Test Results

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The WSLH partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and UW-Madison Division of Extension to create Be Well Informed, a new online tool designed to help private well owners better understand their drinking water lab results.

From the DNR news release –

“The tool is tailored to Wisconsin’s drinking water environment and includes current water guidelines and standards. Resources are also available to help private well owners make informed decisions about the results. …

“A well owner can simply enter the test results provided by a certified laboratory, and the tool generates a report that explains the results and provides educational resources for any recommended next steps.”

More information is available for well owners on the DNR’s Private Well Owners webpage.

2025 Holiday Hours

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Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations due to the observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

The table below lists the hours of operations for our Clinical Specimen Receiving department.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

DATE

2601 Agriculture Drive

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct Phone: 608-224-4229

465 Henry Mall

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct Phone for Saturdays/Holidays: 608-262-5817
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve CLOSED 7:00 AM – Noon
Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day CLOSED CLOSED
Friday, December 26, 2025 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM 7:00 AM – 4:30PM
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – New Year’s Eve CLOSED 7:00 AM – Noon
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – New Year’s Day CLOSED CLOSED
Friday, January 2, 2026 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM 7:00 AM – 4:30PM

Thanksgiving 2025 Holiday Hours

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The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Our Specimen Receiving departments will observe the following hours of operation for the Thanksgiving holiday. As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

2601 Agriculture Drive – Specimen Receiving
DATE HOURS
Thursday, 11/27, Thanksgiving Day CLOSED
Friday, 11/28 6 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday, 11/29 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM

 

465 Henry Mall – Specimen Receiving
DATE HOURS
Thursday, 11/27, Thanksgiving Day CLOSED
Friday, 11/28 7 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday, 11/29 7 AM – 12 PM (Noon)

Rudolph Johnson to become next director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

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Headshot of Rudolph (Rudy) Johnson, PhD

Rudolph Johnson, PhD

Rudolph Johnson, a toxicologist with national leadership experience in emergency response and measuring human exposure to toxic substances, will be the next director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH).

The laboratory serves as Wisconsin’s public laboratory focused on clinical, environmental and occupational health. It is a key partner of the University of Wisconsin–Madison that reports to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

Johnson joins the WSLH from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served as director of the military exposures research program since 2023. His career experiences have included leading national laboratory preparedness initiatives and public health programs focused on toxic substance exposure research and testing, analytical chemistry and laboratory modernization.

At the Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson directed work to better understand the impacts of a range of chemical, physical and environmental hazards that veterans may have been exposed to during military service. Johnson provided technical oversight of the Office of Research & Development Toxic Exposure Fund and led expert consortia supporting military exposure research at 102 VA medical centers across the country.

From 2003-2023, he held progressive leadership roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including serving as the chief of the Emergency Response Branch for eight years. He has held leading roles in the federal response to numerous public health issues. As the leader for the CDC’s National Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats, he set national performance benchmarks and instituted proficiency testing programs that advanced the ability of laboratories in all 50 states to respond to public health emergencies.

“I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and continue its legacy of excellence as a champion of public health for the state of Wisconsin and nationally,” Johnson said. “The laboratory’s integrated mission across clinical, environmental and forensic sciences closely aligns with my leadership experiences and philosophy.”

Founded in 1903, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene plays a major role in the health and well-being of communities in Wisconsin and beyond. The laboratory partners with researchers and clinical professionals at the School of Medicine and Public Health and with state, national and international agencies and clients on disease screening, environmental and occupational health, genetic testing, cytology, forensic toxicology, emergency preparedness, outbreaks and epidemics and more.

Johnson will begin as director on Nov. 17 and hold a faculty appointment in the school’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Johnson holds a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Purdue University. He is a member of the Society of Toxicology and Society of Forensic Toxicology and associate editor of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology. As an expert and researcher in the areas of public health toxicology, forensic science and analytical chemistry, he has authored or co-authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications.

The state laboratory exemplifies the Wisconsin Idea, the university’s commitment that its activities positively impact the state.

“The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene is a landmark example of how we work to advance the health of our communities and the environment,” said Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health. “With expertise in laboratory preparedness and modernization, as well as mentorship and research, I know Dr. Johnson will chart an exciting future for our state laboratory.”

Johnson succeeds James Schauer, PhD, PE, MBA, who is retiring from UW-Madison after serving as WSLH director for eight years and a professor of civil and environmental engineering for 27 years.

Notice of Discontinuation of Bordetella culture – Effective Sept. 15, 2025

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As of September 15, 2025, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene will no longer perform Bordetella culture testing (WSLH test code MP00623). This decision was made due to very low specimen numbers for this test.

Molecular (real-time PCR) testing for Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, and B. holmesii remain available (WSLH test code MP00311).

We remain committed to providing high-quality diagnostic services and continue to offer a comprehensive range of other tests. For a complete list of the tests we offer, please visit our website at https://www.slh.wisc.edu/wslhApps/RefMan/wslhSearch.php or contact our Communicable Disease Division customer service team at 800-862-1013.

Labor Day 2025 Holiday Hours

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Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations for the Labor Day holiday.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

DATE

2601 Agriculture Drive

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone Saturdays: 608-224-4229

465 Henry Mall

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone Saturdays: 608-262-5817
Saturday, August 30, 2025 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM 7:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Sunday, August 31, 2025 CLOSED CLOSED
Monday, September 1, 2025 CLOSED 7:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Newborn Screening Specimens Only

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Public Forum – July 9, 2025

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Join the Water Environment Federation and the New York and Wisconsin wastewater public health monitoring programs to:

  • Learn how sewage can help protect public health
  • Hear from national and local experts
  • Ask questions and join the conversation

Wastewater-based epidemiology is a community-based public health approach that measures human pathogen markers in untreated sewage. Learn how serious diseases can be monitored in wastewater and how this method can be used not just at the community level, but even at major events like the 2025 NFL Draft.

DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

TIME: 7:00-8:30 PM CDT

LOCATION: In Person at the Fluno Center on the UW-Madison campus or Online via Zoom

REGISTRATION:  Register for In-Person attendance or Register to watch on Zoom

More Information

4th of July 2025 Holiday Hours

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Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations for the July 4th holiday.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

DATE

2601 Agriculture Drive

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone: 608-224-4229

465 Henry Mall

Clinical Specimen Receiving

Direct phone: 608-265-9188
Thursday, July 3, 2025 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday, July 4, 2025 CLOSED CLOSED
Saturday, July 5, 2025 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM 7:00 AM – 12:00 Noon