Chemical Threat Response

The divison of Chemical Threat Response is a new workforce within the NYC DOHMH Public Health Laboratory. This division is designated as a  Level 3 LRN-Chemical Terrorism Laboratory in the event of a Chemical Terrorism (CT) incident in the 5 Burroughs of NYC. The laboratoy routine work hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., however the laboratory is available for processing  certain high priority specimens 24 hours a day,  7 days a week, that are of a Public Health Emergency. (Refer to Emergency Laboratory Tests)

The division has 3 areas of focus:

  1. The proper collection and transfer of clinical specimens from people who may have been exposed to CT agents from hospital facilities to the NYC DOHMH Public Health Laboratory (PHL). The laboratory will package and ship specimens to CDC-Atlanta for testing.
  2. Training of hospital facilities in proper collection, handling and transfer of clinical specimens to the NYC DOHMH Public Health Laboratory.
  3. The development and maintenance of a PHL Comprehensive Response Plan directing how the clinical response will be best coordinated with other city wide agencies and institutions that will be involved in responding to a CT incident.
Rapid Toxic Screen Specimen: Whole Blood and Urine specimens from CT victims
  Method: Rapid Toxic-Screen: done by Mass Spectrometry for 150 CT agents/metabolites and markers for certain biological toxins
Turn Around Time: Test Results provided within 48 Hours after PHL packages and ships specimens to CDC for testing
Special Requirements: At least 16ml of Whole Blood (in 3 lavender and 1 green/grey colored top tubes) and 30ml of Urine for each patient
Laboratory Test Request Form: Contact Laboratory