Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness
If you need information on collecting clinical samples in a Chemical or Radiological Emergency situation, see:
Infectious Disease Laboratory Emergency Information
If you need information on testing a suspicious substance, see below:
Information for First Responders and Public Safety Personnel during a Suspicious Substance Event
On this page:
Suspicious Substances
Delivering Unknown Substances to MDH
Contact Information and Directions to MDH
Resources/Forms
Suspicious Substance Exposure Incident
Suspicious Substances
The information and linked documents provided at this site are intended to promote an awareness of the laboratory as a resource for first responders, as well as provide important information needed to maintain and enhance our cooperative interactions. Your hard work and cooperation is vital in an emergency response, and we appreciate our ability to partner with you to characterize unknown hazardous materials.
Delivering Unknown Substance Samples to MDH
Unknown substance samples delivered to MDH must undergo a risk assessment before being accepted. The risk assessment must take into account whether or not individuals have been exposed to the substance, if any one is experiencing symptoms and what the field screening results indicate. Based on this risk assessment the laboratory will decide whether or not they will accept the sample.
Suspicious samples that are collected for analysis by the Public Health Laboratory may result in litigation. It is very important therefore to begin Chain-of-Custody documentation when the sample is collected. If you do not have an internal Chain-of-Custody form you may use the
MDH Emergency Sample Information Form (PDF:49KB/2pages)
In addition to completing a Chain-of-Custody form it is requested that all samples be screened for explosives before being delivered. Before accepting a sample the laboratory will ask the caller for the results of any field screening as well as any other information about the incident that is available.
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General Information 651-201-5200
CT On-Call Phone 612-282-3750
Directions
Map and Driving directions to MDH/MDA Lab Building
Parking and Delivery directions at MDH/MDA Lab Building
Forms
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MDH Emergency Sample Information Form (PDF:49KB/2pages)
MDH Sample Collection Procedures (PDF: 5.2MB/6 pages)
MDH Links
Hazardous Materials Exposure Guide – A Step-by-Step Medical Response Guide
This guide was a developed through a collaboration between MDH and the Minnesota Poison Control Center. This guide contains information for treating individuals that may have been exposed to toxic industrial chemicals and provides sample collection information for samples being shipped to MDH.
MDH Chemical Terrorism Poster
This poster was developed to remind first responders and healthcare professionals of some of the dangers associated with industrial chemicals. It highlights some of the hazard classes of concern, names representative chemicals and lists indicative lab results.
MDH Radiation Emergency Information
MDH Chemical Emergency Information
CDC General Information on Chemical Emergencies
This site is a great resource for first responders, healthcare professionals and the general public interested in chemical preparedness information.
Guidance on Initial Responses to
a Suspicious Letter/Container with a Potential Biological Threat (PDF: 242 KB/:
6 pages)
