Member Profile: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Laboratory

Year established: The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Laboratory has a long history through the previous state entities of The South Carolina Board of Health, South Carolina Pollution Control Authority and the merger of these two entities into the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The state environmental laboratories for the state of South Carolina, as we know them today, were established between 1972–74. DHEC split July 1, 2024. All environmental laboratory functions now operate within the SCDES. 

Location: Columbia, South Carolina

Dylan Cobb with SCDES's Division of Air Quality Analysis gathers data from one of the agency's stations that monitors for particulate matter. Photo: SCDES.

Facility: The facility is currently housed at the Hayne Laboratory. We are close to completing a new laboratory building, which is scheduled to open July 2026. The environmental laboratory will move from the Hayne building to the new laboratory building to be shared with the Department of Health Laboratories. The new laboratory building has not been named.  

Number of staff: 80. The environmental laboratory team is composed of chemists, microbiologists, laboratory certification officers, administrative staff and hourly staff. 

Distinguishing characteristic: The South Carolina environmental laboratory’s distinguishing characteristic is the variety of testing and regulatory activities. The laboratory has responsibility for water testing, ambient air monitoring, fish tissue testing, sediment testing, private wells, radiochemistry and laboratory certification. The laboratory truly serves as the central technical and regulatory hub for the Department of Environmental Services.

SCDES Chemist Benjamin Walters prepares samples in the Volatile Organics Laboratory as part of the agency’s ongoing work to monitor and protect South Carolina’s environmental health. Photo: SCDES.

Highest volume of samples: Drinking water samples.

Notable success story: The environmental laboratory has a rich legacy of providing opportunities to young scientists starting their careers. This is great for local universities and for the state of South Carolina. While some of these staff may leave for other opportunities, working at the state laboratory threaded the needle. We will continue this legacy with the excitement of the opening of the new laboratory facility in July.