Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory – Augusta, ME

Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory

Premier Public Health and Forensic Science

The Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) serves as the state’s principal scientific resource for public health, environmental protection, and forensic analysis. Established in its current form in 1991 through the merger of the Public Health Laboratory and the Department of Environmental Protection Laboratory, HETL provides essential testing services that safeguard the well-being of Maine’s citizens and natural resources. Located in a modern facility on Independence Drive in Augusta, the laboratory operates under the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC). It functions as the state’s primary line of defense against infectious disease outbreaks, environmental contamination, and criminal activity requiring forensic evidence. The laboratory’s team of scientists and technicians utilizes advanced technology to analyze thousands of samples annually, ranging from drinking water and clinical specimens to forensic evidence for law enforcement.

Core Testing Divisions

HETL is organized into several specialized sections, each dedicated to specific scientific disciplines:

• Clinical Microbiology and Virology: This division identifies infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It plays a critical role in diagnosing diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, rabies, and Lyme disease, providing rapid results to healthcare providers and state epidemiologists.
• Environmental Testing: The lab conducts rigorous analysis of water, soil, and air samples. Key services include testing private well water for arsenic, uranium, and lead, as well as monitoring public water supplies for compliance with safety standards. It also houses the state’s Radiochemistry lab to detect radioactive hazards.
• Forensic Chemistry: Working closely with law enforcement, this section analyzes seized drugs and biological fluids. It provides impartial scientific data used in criminal investigations and court proceedings, ensuring the integrity of the justice system.
• Childhood Lead and Metabolic Screening: HETL supports statewide screening programs, detecting lead poisoning in children and metabolic disorders in newborns to enable early intervention and treatment.

Access and Quality Assurance

As a federally certified and state-accredited facility, HETL adheres to the highest standards of quality control and safety. The laboratory serves a diverse client base, including private citizens, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and other government bodies. Residents can order test kits for home use, particularly for radon and well water quality, directly through the laboratory’s services. HETL acts as a reference laboratory for other facilities across the state, providing confirmation of complex test results and technical expertise. By continuously monitoring health trends and environmental data, the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory remains a vital pillar of the state’s public health infrastructure.