Modified Schedule for June 15 - 19 2026

The Environmental Health Laboratory will be closed in observance of all State of Alaska holidays. Our next closure will be Friday June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

As a result, the sample acceptance schedule for June 15 – 19 must be modified, as follows:  

 

Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Commercial Samples 

Samples will be accepted Monday June 15, Tuesday June 16, Wednesday June 17, and Thursday June 18. However, samples must be received by noon if same-day preliminary results are desired. 

 

Wet Storage Tank Samples 

Samples will be accepted by 3pm on Monday June 15. 

 

Shellfish Growing Water Samples 

Samples will be accepted Monday June 15, Tuesday June 16, and by noon Wednesday June 17. 

 

Raw Meat Samples 

Samples will be accepted Monday June 15, Tuesday June 16, and by noon Wednesday June 17. However, meat samples are pooled for efficiency and generally tested once a week. 

 

Slaughter Sponge Samples 

Slaughter sponge samples are good for 24 hours per USDA. Sponges will be accepted Monday June 15, Tuesday June 16, and by noon Wednesday June 17 unless written extension is provided to hold longer than 24 hours for testing. 

 

Other Samples 

Samples will be accepted Monday June 15, Tuesday June 16, Wednesday June 17, and Thursday June 18. However, testing will be performed during previously designated testing weeks (geoduck inorganic arsenic, manufactured food, dairy) or as soon as possible given current backlog (all other samples).  

 

Please be mindful that shipping offices may be closed and shipments may be delayed due to the holiday. You will need to plan accordingly to ensure your samples will meet temperature and hold time requirements upon arrival. 

Normal sample acceptance schedules resume on Monday June 22, 2026.  

Assistance is available with timing of sample collections, completion of submission forms, packaging, temperature requirements, shipping, and sample tracking. Sampling questions, planned sampling activities, and shipping notifications, can be made to DEC.EH-Lab-ShippingReceiving@alaska.gov or 907-375-8231.