Overview
The Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) offer laboratory testing services supporting the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and other federal, state and local agencies who protect the public’s health. PHEL testing includes
- Monitoring the quality of drinking water and consumables such as, milk, dairy products, and medicinal marijuana.
- Investigation of foodborne outbreaks
- Arbovirus (mosquito), rabies and respiratory virus surveillance
- Newborn screening for inheritable disorders
- Diagnostic testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and tuberculosis (TB)
- Testing for biothreat and chemical threat agents in clinical specimens and white powders
- Detection and characterization of emerging pathogens in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health laboratories.
The PHEL also regulates clinical laboratories and blood banks through inspection and licensing.
Referring Clinical Specimens to PHEL
Please refer to Shipping Specimens for detailed contact and shipping information.
- The Newborn Screening laboratory is mandated to test all newborns in New Jersey for 54 different inheritable disorders. More about the Newborn Screening Program
- Physicians may request testing for other organisms on a case by case basis. Contact the Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-5964, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm to discuss
- Information about reportable diseases and the Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CDRSS) electronic reporting
Laboratory Response Network
PHEL is part of the Laboratory Response Network a network of laboratories ready to respond to a biological or chemical emergency.