How to set up a low-cost analytical toxicology laboratory

An Analytical Toxicology Laboratory is an integral part of a Poison Control Centre (PCC), and is mainly concerned with the qualitative or quantitative estimation/identification of poisons or potentially toxic substances in both biological as well as non-biological samples. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences has a WHOaccredited PCC with a fully functional analytical toxicology laboratory. The analytical toxicology laboratory of AIMS has the capacity to identify most of the commonly encountered poisons, and that too with accuracy and speed. The highlights of the PCC along with the statistics of the analytical toxicology laboratory are detailed in the poster.

Hospitals in India have always shied away from the very thought of an Analytical Toxicology facility, owing to the uncertainties and potential costs that could be incurred in establishing it. But in reality, an analytical toxicology laboratory cab be begun as a very simple and low-cost set up which utilizes down-to-earth technology to the fullest. “Speed and Accuracy” should be the watchword for every analytical toxicology laboratory, and being a service/patient oriented facility “economy” should also be kept in mind while offering the services. A fundamental biochemical laboratory with basic instruments or facilities such as TLC, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, etc., should be adequate, though equipment like HPLC/GC-MS would be very helpful in increasing the speed and accuracy of the results. Adequately qualified, trained and committed staff is also indispensable for efficient running of the laboratory. The finer details of the establishment of an analytical toxicology laboratory are dealt with in detail, outlining the inception and growth of the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory, AIMS, as a paradigm.