The Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) provides laboratory analysis and scientific expertise for public health policy development, environment and toxicology programs in New Mexico. SLD provides timely identification in order to prevent, identify, and respond to threats to public health and safety from emerging and unusual infectious diseases in humans, animals, water, food, and dairy, as well as chemical and radiological hazards in drinking water systems and environmental water, air, and soil. In addition, the laboratory performs drug testing and provides expert witness testimony for forensic investigations of DWI/DUID and cause of death from drugs and infectious disease. SLD is the primacy bioterrorism and chemical terrorism response laboratory for the state and provides training for clinical laboratories throughout New Mexico.
New Mexico statute dictates that the Scientific Laboratory Division is the primacy laboratory for the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Environment Department, and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, as well as the testing and regulatory authority for impaired driving testing.
The Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) is New Mexico’s official 1) public health, 2) environmental monitoring and 3) forensic toxicology laboratory. In the above roles, the Scientific Laboratory Division operates the following programs:
FY17 OPERATING BUDGET: $12,479,600
During FY17, some of SLD’s accomplishments included:
Laboratory-wide:
Chemistry Bureau:
Biological Sciences Bureau:
Toxicology Bureau: