About Us | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/lab/about-us
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
About Us | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
About Us
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory (VDHL) is a state-of-the-art scientific facility that ensures Vermont’s public health by:
monitoring for disease outbreaks
providing emergency response services for biological, radiological and chemical threats
providing environmental testing for food, drinking water and radiation contamination
providing clinical testing for healthcare settings and underserved populations
Our Certificates
CLIA Certificate
NH ELAP Certificate
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Certificate
Our Programs
Public Testing Services for Vermonters
Drinking Water testing
: Check your well or tap water for safety and quality. Available for homeowners, municipalities, and water systems.
Environmental Water testing
: Testing for lakes, swimming areas, irrigation, and surface water.
Home Radon testing
: Test your home for radon in air (short-, medium-, or long-term kits available) and in water.
Rabies testing
: Rabies testing for animals, when approved by the State Public Health Veterinarian.
Clinical Testing
for Health Care Providers
We provide specialized testing to support diagnosis and disease tracking in Vermont:
Bacteriology
: Bordetella, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoeae, Brucella, Syphilis, and more
Blood Lead
: Pediatric testing
Mycology and Mycobacteriology
: Tuberculosis and fungi testing
Parasitology
: Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia, Pinworms, and more
Virology
: Influenza, norovirus, hepatitis, HIV, measles, and more
Public Health and Safety Testing
We support statewide monitoring, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness:
Biological, Chemical and Radiological Threats
: Serves as a reference laboratory for the identification and investigation of suspect biothreat, chemical threat, and radiological threat agents.
Environmental Testing
: Performs bacteria testing on swim water, investigates suspected legionella outbreaks, and tests environmental samples for naturally occurring and man-made radioactive materials including monitoring Vermont Yankee.
Food Testing
: Tests for foodborne pathogens during a suspected outbreak, including norovirus and salmonella and more.
Our History
The Vermont legislature established the “Vermont State Laboratory of Hygiene” in 1898. It was the third of its kind to be organized in the United States. The Lab was charged with examining water, milk and food products for chemical and bacterial contamination, and to investigate suspected cases of infectious and contagious diseases.
The Lab shared its work with Vermont’s Health Officers’ School in 1899, creating enthusiasm for public health work.
In 1963, the Lab implemented a screening program for kidney, heart, diabetes and gout diseases. After a couple of years, the program got a van and the clinics became mobile, traveling to industries, schools and other community locations to test children and adults.
In 2015, the Lab moved to its current location in Colchester. It is a state-of-the-art scientific facility capable of testing highly infectious agents and toxins (ex. Anthrax) in its Bio-Safety Level 3 containment unit. The Lab was at the forefront of testing and whole genome sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customer Survey
Customer Survey
We would like to hear about your experiences with VDHL services. Click the link to fill out our customer survey.
Customer Survey
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision:
To be the most innovative, quality-focused, customer-oriented Public Health Laboratory in the United States.
Our Mission:
To promote health and prevent disease by providing:
Quality Analytical Services
Leadership in Laboratory Science
Support to Public Health and Environmental Activities
Contact Us
For detailed information on how to reach us, please see our
Contact Us
page.
If you need to reach Customer Service, please call
800-660-9997
or
802-338-4724
.
Subscribe to About Us
Last Updated:
April 9, 2026
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
About Us
The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory (VDHL) is a state-of-the-art scientific facility that ensures Vermont’s public health by:
monitoring for disease outbreaks
providing emergency response services for biological, radiological and chemical threats
providing environmental testing for food, drinking water and radiation contamination
providing clinical testing for healthcare settings and underserved populations
Our Certificates
CLIA Certificate
NH ELAP Certificate
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Certificate
Our Programs
Public Testing Services for Vermonters
Drinking Water testing
: Check your well or tap water for safety and quality. Available for homeowners, municipalities, and water systems.
Environmental Water testing
: Testing for lakes, swimming areas, irrigation, and surface water.
Home Radon testing
: Test your home for radon in air (short-, medium-, or long-term kits available) and in water.
Rabies testing
: Rabies testing for animals, when approved by the State Public Health Veterinarian.
Clinical Testing
for Health Care Providers
We provide specialized testing to support diagnosis and disease tracking in Vermont:
Bacteriology
: Bordetella, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoeae, Brucella, Syphilis, and more
Blood Lead
: Pediatric testing
Mycology and Mycobacteriology
: Tuberculosis and fungi testing
Parasitology
: Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia, Pinworms, and more
Virology
: Influenza, norovirus, hepatitis, HIV, measles, and more
Public Health and Safety Testing
We support statewide monitoring, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness:
Biological, Chemical and Radiological Threats
: Serves as a reference laboratory for the identification and investigation of suspect biothreat, chemical threat, and radiological threat agents.
Environmental Testing
: Performs bacteria testing on swim water, investigates suspected legionella outbreaks, and tests environmental samples for naturally occurring and man-made radioactive materials including monitoring Vermont Yankee.
Food Testing
: Tests for foodborne pathogens during a suspected outbreak, including norovirus and salmonella and more.
Our History
The Vermont legislature established the “Vermont State Laboratory of Hygiene” in 1898. It was the third of its kind to be organized in the United States. The Lab was charged with examining water, milk and food products for chemical and bacterial contamination, and to investigate suspected cases of infectious and contagious diseases.
The Lab shared its work with Vermont’s Health Officers’ School in 1899, creating enthusiasm for public health work.
In 1963, the Lab implemented a screening program for kidney, heart, diabetes and gout diseases. After a couple of years, the program got a van and the clinics became mobile, traveling to industries, schools and other community locations to test children and adults.
In 2015, the Lab moved to its current location in Colchester. It is a state-of-the-art scientific facility capable of testing highly infectious agents and toxins (ex. Anthrax) in its Bio-Safety Level 3 containment unit. The Lab was at the forefront of testing and whole genome sequencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customer Survey
Customer Survey
We would like to hear about your experiences with VDHL services. Click the link to fill out our customer survey.
Customer Survey
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision:
To be the most innovative, quality-focused, customer-oriented Public Health Laboratory in the United States.
Our Mission:
To promote health and prevent disease by providing:
Quality Analytical Services
Leadership in Laboratory Science
Support to Public Health and Environmental Activities
Contact Us
For detailed information on how to reach us, please see our
Contact Us
page.
If you need to reach Customer Service, please call
800-660-9997
or
802-338-4724
.
Subscribe to About Us
Last Updated:
April 9, 2026