Impact

The State Hygienic Laboratory provides objective, timely information regarding environmental and public health topics that helps keep Iowans safe and healthy. 

The State Hygienic Laboratory serves all 99 Iowa counties by detecting infectious diseases and other illnesses; monitoring air and water quality; and identifying more than 50 serious conditions in newborns in time for life-saving interventions.

Each year, the Hygienic Laboratory conducts more than 500,000 public health tests for Iowans and an estimated 250,000 additional tests for clients outside of the state. Founded in 1904, the State Hygienic Laboratory is based in Coralville with additional laboratories in Ankeny and Milford.

For more than a century, the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa has helped ensure the health and safety of Iowans, and national partners. This video is a glimpse of the work of the dedicated SHL staff members who make this possible.

Position Statements

SHL subject matter experts developed the following position statements to inform Iowans and others about emerging threats to the environmental and public health.