In anticipation of Phase II and III of the Board PFAS investigation, Babcock Laboratories, Inc. added Department of Defense (DOD) accreditation for PFAS in 2019.
Life in Plastic: Determining Microplastics in Drinking Water
One microcosm of this public health concern has been the presence of microplastics in the environment, and the potential for these tiny particles to make their way into our food and water. Microplastics fall into two main categories—those that are manufactured as additives or for use in manufacturing and those that come from the degradation or breakdown of larger plastic particles.
The Path Out of Coronavirus Lockdown? Follow the Wastewater
As the United State passes the one million mark for documented cases of Covid-19, one of the most frustrating aspects of the current pandemic is that identification and extent of community outbreaks is tied to the number of test kits available. Due to inadequate test kit supplies, available testing has been limited to individuals already experiencing symptoms. This, in turn, has limited the number of identified cases to the number of kits. It is now suspected that in the California Bay Area, the virus may have been circulating in the population more than a month before health officials began looking for it (LA Times, April 11, 2020).
Finding a quick way to locate and identify disease outbreaks before they manifest in the community has researchers at several universities focusing their attention on a surprising yet familiar matrix—wastewater. Interest in the new field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has gained traction and offers a promising way to identify coronavirus using wastewater. “WBE holds the promise of near real-time monitoring of disease outbreaks,” according to an April 23, 2020 news release from Arizona State University.
Changes to Sample Receiving Protocol & Cyanide Preservation Requirements Reminder
Updated Sample Receiving and Sample Collection Policy in Response to COVID-19
Babcock Laboratories’ testing services are essential to continuing to protect public health during this unprecedented time. We have never wavered from our commitment to safeguarding our community, and as such the safety of our clients and our dedicated employee-owners is of the utmost importance. To continue critical testing operations while ensuring the safety of our clients and staff, we have implemented new protocol in response to COVID-19.
New Service Center: Babcock Labs Opens Satellite Facility in Imperial Valley
Babcock Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its new service center in the Imperial Valley. The satellite facility will serve as a drop-off location for all analyses in Imperial County. Samples will be conveyed to the main laboratory in Riverside for analysis and reporting.
In order to meet all method regulatory holding times the new service center will operate on a limited basis, accepting bacteriological, nitrate-nitrite, and General Physical (COT) samples on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays before noon and, for analyses with longer holding times, Monday through Thursday. The service center is located at 104 S. 8th St., Brawley, CA 92227 and the hours are M-Thurs. 8am-2pm. Babcock Field Department services are also be available on a limited basis and must be pre-arranged.