NEWSLETTER

Marie’s primary responsibilities involve working with pathogens and conducting gender identification using PCR and qPCR technology. Additionally, she oversees the testing of all incoming samples for microbial contamination. As a director, Marie plays a crucial role in the elevated drinking water testing program.

A perfect score in a professional asbestos proficiency test (PT), is zero penalty points, indicating no errors in the analysis of samples. In general, a score of less than 100 penalty points for a single test round is considered a passing score. A lab is rated "proficient" if it passes at least two of the last three consecutive PT rounds.

January is National Radon Action Month, designated by the (EPA) to raise awareness about the serious health risks of radon, promote home testing, and encourage mitigation, as radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second overall. RCL discounted our Radon DIY kits via email marketing campaign.

Ballast water is fresh or saltwater taken into tanks on ships to provide stability, trim, and maneuverability, especially when empty or lightly loaded, but it's a major pathway for introducing invasive microbes, and pollutants to new environments when discharged. Leading to regulations for management and treatment. 

Joya and Kelci attended APEX Accelerators free training, counseling, and resources for businesses to win government contracts at federal, state, and local levels. They covered everything from understanding 101 concepts, marketing, certifications, proposal writing, bid matching, and navigating SAM.gov.

When we learned about the need for understanding how to read the lab reports and potency reports for psilocybin, and how confused the facilitators were in understanding them, we decided to host a workshop on advanced dosing. It was sold out and presentations were made by Dan, Bjorn, and guest speaker Jenna Kluwe.

To get Lead Risk Assessor certified in Oregon, you must complete an OHA-approved 16-hour training - after Lead Inspector training, meet experience and education pre-requisites, earn a state course completion certificate, apply to the Oregon Health Authority and pass a state exam. Now the Lab can test large scale commercial lead inspections and surveys.

GOSH is the largest safety and health conference in the PNW. The goal of the conference is to provide an educational forum where more than 1,500 employers, safety and health professionals, safety committee members, line supervisors, manufacturers, and distributors can gain knowledge and skills propelling their occupational S&H programs.

Britebox Labs had a big presence at our first ever COBA convention in Redmond. COBA is dedicated to supporting the building industry and fostering a thriving community. Since 1972, we’ve been committed to serving builders, contractors, and related professionals through advocacy, education, networking, and events. Mission: Together, we’re building a stronger future for Central Oregon.

We had an exciting time at this annual event that highlights home and garden. We showcased DIY Kits, a $400 gift basket giveaway, along with our popular Kids Lab photo booth. Many homeowners, families, and curious visitors experienced firsthand valuable information on home health services. Dan was also able to Beta Test the long awaited debut of the Faucet Fountain!

Due to many requests we have added Mold surface testing. Our Mold Home Test checks for the presence of mold with visible results in as little as 48 hours. Some types of mold, like toxic mold, are more dangerous to your health than others. It is important to determine the type of mold you have growing, by way of testing.

Mold, water, and asbestos testing matters immensely for health, safety, and wellness reasons, preventing severe respiratory issues (mold, asbestos), cancers (asbestos), structural damage, costly renovations plus legal issues. These hazards become dangerous after water or fire damage, when area is disturbed.

Almost the entire staff turned out for the Pickles game ‘Science” themed night at their SE Portland stadium. Dillon the mascot, Fried Pickles, Pickle infused beer, RCL Pickle Lab Shirts and the Green Pickle Juice fountain made this a home run for all who attended. Great way to kick off summer!

The Portland Pickles do not mess around when it comes to setting up themes and memes, so RCL wasted no time coming up with a Science Pickle shirt and our our viral meme: WATER TESTING IS A BIG DILL (thank you Kim Crawford for the contribution!). Booth visitors wanted to buy the shirts…dang!

RCL teams up with PATA to assist in booth presence and Psilocybin testing awareness at Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Science conference. Topics included: spectrum of science, medicine, policy, business, spirituality, and culture.

In July, Greenleaf and Pree closed their labs. OLCC crackdown in late 2024 targeted three labs: Reference - 3B, and Pree, due to allegations of inflating THC potency - by adding kief to testing samples. Other labs faced lesser fines. RCL was in compliance.

Britebox Labs set up a double sized booth at the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo July 30-Aug 3 at the Fairgrounds in Redmond. This 106th annual event in Central Oregons big summer go to. PFAS education & info gained traction for booth Q&A plus amazing swag!

Dan invited to join Psilocybin Alliance and OHA meeting: “Help support OHA in reviewing and refining these ideas in a collaborative spirit that centers therapeutic integrity, client dignity, and the long-term success of Oregon’s psilocybin program.”

New services schedule offers comprehensive testing capacity across many environmental, microbiology, biosafety, and wellness assays. In 2025 we expanded by adding laboratory partnerships for subcontracting, broadening our services.

A first for Rose City Labs! A research paper: ‘Active Constituents of Psilocybin Mushroom Edibles’, was published in JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, a prestigious, biomedicine publication original research and editorials.

KATU purchased one of the psychedelics marketed products from a headshop in Southeast Portland. KATU took the bottle to state-certified testing laboratory Rose City Labs who agreed to run it through a (GC-MS) scan. READ FULL STORY

LIMS has some fun with AI. Science lab testing ethics involve applying core bioethical principles—autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence to the development and deployment of AI in scientific research.

Campaign focused on raising awareness to lead exposure with themes like "Healthy Communities Start With Lead-Safe Homes" and "No safe level: act now to end lead exposure," encouraging testing and lead-safe practices in homes and communities. 

For Lead Prevention Week! Surface testing is done to detect lead on various materials, primarily paint, in homes and other structures built before 1978. Exposure to lead, especially for young children, can cause severe health and developmental problems.

Rose City Laboratories has seen an uptick in rush requests for Asbestos in 2025 - which includes a fast 4 hour turn-around time. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and odorless, they can only be positively identified through lab analysis.

For the third year, starting at Thanksgiving - we hosted a Holiday Food Drive for the Portland Sunshine Division. Thanks to staff & customers, not one but TWO food barrels were collected helping local food-challenged families in need.

2025 saw many changes in staff roles and duties and expanded a few categories. We happily welcomed six new full time employees: In the Lab: Marie, John & Alyssa, QA & Customer Relations Specialist: Kim, and Field Techs Blake and Matthew

Rose city labs staff celebrated the holidays with a delicious meal catered by Chipotle - Another take home cookie table and our highly competitive White Elephant gift exchange. Staff heard words of gratitude from Dan.

For the third year, Rose CIty Labs handed out new updated designed sweatshirts for staff. The design boasts all the nuances that the lab encompasses and the work we do collectively. The hoodies will soon be added to our online shop.

Meth and fentanyl test kits are vital harm reduction tools helping detect the presence of these potent, often hidden, substances on common surfaces. Fentanyl can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted - A test is the only way to know.