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Updated: Oct. 14, 2025

Analytical Chemistry Section

If you have been exposed to a poisonous chemical agent, IMMEDIATELY contact the Palmetto Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

The Level 1 and Level 3 laboratories in the Analytical Chemistry section are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats (LRN-C).

Level 1 Laboratory

The Level 1 laboratory, one of only 10 in the USA, serves as a surge-capacity laboratory for the CDC to provide rapid and effective analysis of clinical specimens for chemical threat agents likely to be used in a terroristic event. These laboratory measurements will support the response to a public health emergency involving chemical threat agents by guiding emergency medical care and public health emergency management through the identification of the chemical threat agent(s) used and the determination of an individual's level of exposure. The Level 1 laboratory has the capacity to analyze for a wide spectrum of chemical classes and metabolites, e.g. metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nerve agent metabolites, to name a few. An analysis is done on human specimens, usually blood or urine, to detect exposure to toxic substances which are reported to local and/or regional healthcare providers and the CDC. The instrument platforms used for analysis include:

  • Liquid chromatography (LC)
  • Gas chromatography (GC)
  • Inductively coupled plasma (ICP)
  • Mass spectrometry (MS)

The Level 1 laboratory maintains readiness through continuous method optimization, stocking required surge materials and assuring staff competency through training and proficiency testing.

Chemical Agent Fact Sheets

Level 3 Laboratory

The Level 3 laboratory participates in outreach to South Carolina (SC) public health emergency preparedness partners, e.g. hospitals and first responders, to educate in the capabilities of the Level 1 laboratory and/or train in procedures pertaining to safe and effective specimen collection, handling and shipping during and after a public health emergency involving chemical threat exposure(s). The Level 3 laboratory seeks to integrate the South Carolina LRN-C laboratories in the procedures and response exercises that are crucial to the overall emergency preparedness for the state. The training is usually held at the partner facility, or occasionally at the SC Public Health Laboratory (PHL). The topics covered may include:

  • Background information on the Level 1 laboratory testing capacity
  • Brief description of chemical threat agents
  • Role of the CDC, Level 1 laboratory, and hospitals in a chemical terrorism/exposure event
  • Clinical specimen collection, handling and shipping protocol
  • Chain-of-custody protocol

A Chemical Exposure Response Kit is provided for each organization attending the training. The kits are customized for the training participants. Certificates are awarded upon completion of the training. For more information, or to set up a training session, please contact the laboratory via telephone at 1-803-896-0886 or e-mail the Analytical Chemistry supervisor or Chemistry Division Director listed below.

The chemical threat emergency response preparation in the Analytical Chemistry section is supported by the CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement.

Useful Information

Sample Collection, Packaging and Shipping Information for Health Professionals

Important Contacts

Analytical Chemistry Section Contacts

Overdose Biosurveillance Program

In 2019, the South Carolina Public Health Laboratory (SC PHL) received funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant to develop an Overdose Biosurveillance Program (OBP). The purpose of the OBP is to test residual de-identified urine specimens for fentanyl and fentanyl analogs from suspected non-fatal drug overdoses. The laboratory started testing for fentanyl and twenty-one fentanyl analogs but quickly expanded to other opioids which have emerged as a public health threat. Given the rapidly evolving drug landscape and the evidence for intentional and unintentional usage of fentanyl combined with other drugs, CDC expanded the scope of OD2A funding to encompass other illicit compounds. The SC Public Health Laboratory has quickly expanded its scope to include additional drugs like Xylazine, Stimulants, and Benzodiazepines, which can be highly addictive and contribute to Naloxone resistance. The SC PHL has the capacity to increase its drug screening panel as new drugs emerge in South Carolina.

The Overdose Biosurveillance Program involves partnerships with hospitals throughout the state who provide the SC PHL with de-identified residual urine specimens from suspected non-fatal overdoses. The de-identification protects and ensures the anonymity of those patients whose specimens have been submitted for analysis. The suspected non-fatal overdose urine specimens are analyzed using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (LC-QTOF-MS), which has the ability to perform targeted and non-targeted analysis. The data produced has provided evidence for data-driven decision-making for DPH programs working to combat the opioid and overdose epidemic in South Carolina.

The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory collaborates with the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention’s Division of Epidemiology, Analytics and Data Visualization team to provide and manage an interactive Overdose Biosurveillance dashboard. Coupling near real-time surveillance with data analytics can further drive resource allocation for prompt response and prevention, which saves lives and improves health outcomes for South Carolina citizens.

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