Laboratory Testing

The Douglas County Health Department Laboratory provides laboratory testing and support services for the following sections of the Health Department:

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic
The laboratory provides HIV screening for the Douglas County STD clinics and for the Nebraska Aids Project.

Food and Drink Section
The laboratory provides analysis for food borne pathogens and the observation of various foreign matter in prepared food items.  The laboratory provides Bacterial testing for all soft serve ice cream machines located throughout Douglas County.

Water
The Laboratory services the general public by ensuring that the residents of Douglas County have potable water as specified under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  Chemical and Bacterial water analysis is provided for public and private water samples.

Air Pollution
The Laboratory provides EPA mandated Regulatory testing for lead and monitoring for particulate matter at PM 10 and PM 2.5 microns.  Quality Assurance and Quality Control functions are performed for Co, SO2 and Ozone monitoring.

Pollen Count
The laboratory provides the daily pollen count to the Local and National Weather Bureaus.

Community Support
The Laboratory collaborates and provides support services for local health programs such as: free colon cancer screening provided by the American Cancer Society.