Lungs at Work

About our laboratory

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

For the Easter break, the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Laboratory will be closed from Monday 30th March and reopen on Thursday 9th April.

Please ensure that any samples sent to the lab arrive by Friday 27th March or after Wednesday 8th  April 2026.

We are an ISO-accredited laboratory service dedicated to specific antibody and aeroallergen measurement for occupational and environmental issues.

We provide a specialist immunological service for the diagnosis of occupational lung disease, working in close collaboration with clinical colleagues from the Royal Brompton Hospital. We are also the only UK site currently carrying out beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests. Our services include:

  • Measurement of specific IgE and IgG antibodies to allergens
  • Extraction of allergens for measurement of specific IgE or IgG
  • Bespoke specific IgE assays for novel occupational and environmental allergens
  • Precipitation assays for the measurement of specific IgG antibodies
  • T cell (lymphocyte) proliferation assays to beryllium
  • Allergen extraction from air filters
  • Rat n 1 and Mus m 1 aeroallergen measurements
  • Research and development of new diagnostic assays
  • Specialist advice on diagnostic assays and interpretation of results
  • Immunological health surveillance

Laboratory team

Send samples to us

  • The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Laboratory has relocated to a new site, please send all samples to the address below: 

    Jennifer Canizales/Samantha Marsh
    Occupational and Environmental Medicine Laboratory Service
    National Heart and Lung Institute
    Guy Scadding Building
    Cale Street
    London SW3 6LY

  • Download our laboratory services request form
  • Read guidance on how to package and send samples to the lab

Further information

We are happy to take enquiries from employers, occupational health services and businesses. Please note charges may be applicable for non-NHS work. For further information please contact Dr Jennifer Canizales.

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