Biological Matrices

Sample Matrices:

• All Environmental Matrices
• All Biota: plants, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals
• Human Fluids: blood, serum, milk

Almost any kind of biological sample can be analyzed. Fish are the most often requested biota for analyses because they accumulate contaminants, are a key part of the food chain, and are also eaten by humans. We can prepare and analyze most any environmental biological sample from algae and blood to plants, eagles and raccoons.

Rodents have the potential for carrying hantavirus. Because of the possibility that mice and rats may carry this virus, any small rodent must be handled separately. Refer to the sample handling section in this document.

We do analyze foods for environmental contaminants. Recent press articles have addressed concerns about PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in salmon found in stores. We have analyzed tunafish, salmon, oysters and caviar among food items.

We have the ability and experience to analyze human serum and milk for some chemical contaminants. Requests for the analysis of human materials beyond these should be discussed with the laboratory first as there may be restrictions and regulations which fall outside the scope of our abilities.