Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratories
{{Short description|Public health agency in Virginia, US}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
| picture_width =
| picture_caption =
| formed = {{start date|1972}}
| dissolved =
| headquarters = Richmond, Virginia
| chief1_name = Denise Toney, PhD
| chief1_position = Director
| parent_agency = Virginia Department of General Services
| child1_agency =
| website = [https://dgs.virginia.gov/division-of-consolidated-laboratory-services]
| footnotes =
}}
Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratories (DCLS) is a public health agency located in Richmond, Virginia.{{Cite web |title=About DCLS |url=https://dgs.virginia.gov/division-of-consolidated-laboratory-services/about/about-dcls/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=dgs.virginia.gov}} The organization performs clinical (human) testing on infectious disease agents of public health significance. DCLS is also responsible for certifying and accrediting commercial and non-commercial laboratories to ensure regulations are met.
In addition to clinical testing, DCLS also conducts environmental testing to safeguard public health.{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-04-24 |title=Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services Funding |url=https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/funding/virginia-biomonitoring-grants.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=National Biomonitoring Program |language=en-us}} In 2014, the agency established the Virginia Biomonitoring Program to increase the commonwealth's capacity to assess environmental exposures in Virginians.
The agency is currently led by Dr. Denise Toney.{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-12-18 |title=The Laboratory Workgroup |url=https://www.cdc.gov/about/advisory-committee-director/lab-workgroup.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=About CDC |language=en-us}}
History
DCLS was formed in 1972 from the consolidation of several Virginia agencies responsible for laboratory testing.
In 2003, the Virginia DCLS opened a BSL-4 lab designated for research and testing involving hazardous microorganisms of the highest biocontainment level, such as Bacillus anthracis.{{Cite web |last=Lepley |first=Pamela DiSalvo |title=One of most advanced labs in U.S. is latest addition to new East Coast Center for Biosciences |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/One_of_most_advanced_labs_in_US_is_latest_addition_to_new_East |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=VCU News |language=en-us}} The $63 million, 194,5000 square-foot facility also contains a BSL-3 lab and training space.{{Cite web |last=Lepley |first=Pamela DiSalvo |title=State of the art laboratory opens in Richmond |url=https://news.vcu.edu/article/State_of_the_art_laboratory_opens_in_Richmond |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=VCU News |language=en-us}}{{Clear}}
References
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