The State Hygienic Lab Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response on Oct. 12 demonstrated its important role in identifying unknown substances that could threaten human health.

An Iowa clinical laboratorian examines inactive cultures of infectious diseases during the 2017 SHL Emergency Preparedness workshop.

A patient who may have been exposed to an unknown white powder went to an Iowa hospital for treatment. Following a rigorous handling and shipping process to ensure safety, the hospital sent a sample of the potential chemical agent to the State Hygienic Laboratory for testing.

Staff who are trained in the specialized skill of working with these substances supported the investigation by conducting analysis of the white power. Testing results identified it as a non-hazardous, over-the-counter medication that was not a threat to the patient or the care team.

SHL provides workshops to train clinical laboratorians from across the state how to rule-out potential agents of bioterrorism. The annual program provides in-depth information and hands-on experience to inform clinicians about working with select agents that could be used in bioterrorism.