New Kansas Health and Environment labs debuted in downtown Topeka
Mar 19, 2025
TOPEKA (KSNT) - State leaders unveiled new "state-of-the-art" laboratories for testing water in Kansas on Wednesday.
Governor Laura Kelly joined the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to cut the ribbon at the new Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL) on March 19. The n
ew multi-million dollar lab was paid for with money from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The facility is housed in the Capitol Complex in downtown Topeka, one block away from the statehouse.
“The opening of the new Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories is a significant step forward for public health in Kansas and a testament to the power of scientific advancement and innovation,” Kelly said. “I’m confident the new lab will be a catalyst for positive change for decades to come.”
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The KHEL is home to high-tech clinical and environmental equipment.
“With its diverse functions and advanced capabilities, this state-of-the-art facility significantly enhances our ability to monitor and tackle pressing public health challenges,” KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. “It will give us the tools necessary to improve the overall health of our population and elevate our response capabilities and outcomes statewide. It helps us ensure that we are not only prepared for today's challenges but also equipped to face future health concerns head-on.”
Below is a list of other ways the KHEL will improve the health of people living in the Sunflower State:
The Newborn Screening Laboratory - identifies nearly three dozen inherited and metabolic conditions in every child born in the state.
The Virology and Serology Laboratory - detects infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted infections and HIV, as well as emerging viruses like West Nile virus and Zika.
The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory - tests for human pathogens, including influenza and norovirus, and tracks the origins of these viruses.
The Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - tests samples for bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and M. tuberculosis.
The Organic Chemistry Laboratory - analyzes drinking water for harmful bacteria and tests other samples for dangerous herbicides, pesticides, volatile compounds, oil products and disinfecting byproducts.
The Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory - tests drinking water, well water, and stream samples for pollutants like lead and copper and assesses nutrient levels resulting from agricultural runoff.
The Radiochemistry Laboratory - monitors a 90-mile radius around the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant for radioactivity in public drinking water and surrounding ecosystems.
The Toxicology Laboratory - identifies per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, as well as tests for elevated lead levels in children.
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