The objective of this proposal is to describe our laboratory's involvement in the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Information Response Network (VetLIRN). This proposal describes how we plan to provide analytical support for the toxicological analysis of animal tissues, feeds, foods, and other matrices of concern in the event that there is a chemical contamination incident that potentially compromises the safety of our nation's animal food supply or the health and safety of livestock, companion animals, or people. We propose to participate, as needed, in the development and expansion of analytical methods designed to screen a variety of matrices for diverse and potentially harmful chemicals, including unknown compounds, using GC/MS, LC/MS, ICP/MS, and other analytical methodologies. Laboratory personnel will participate in training exercises designed to assess the ability of VetLIRN to respond to surveillance, emergency response, and recovery scenarios, participate in national and regional meetings, and assist with the development and validation of methods for the analysis of chemical contaminants. Specific objectives include: ? training of laboratory personnel in analytical toxicology methodologies needed by the VetLIRN ? provision of analytical expertise to the improvement, expansion, and validation of existing VetLIRN toxicology methods ? assistance with the development of new toxicology methods for the VetLIRN as needed ? participation in VetLIRN proficiency testing programs ? collaboration with other VetLIRN member laboratories to ensure the effectiveness of the VetLIRN program ? participation in case investigations, animal feed surveillance, emergency response, or recovery exercises as the need arises ? effectively communicating with other VetLIRN laboratories via the use of eLEXNET
The primary objective of this project is to provide analytical chemistry and veterinary toxicology expertise to the FDA-CVM to assure safe and contaminant-free animal and human feeds and food and to assist in case investigations, surveillance, emergency response and recovery exercises as the need arises. This project provides expert method development capabilities and veterinary toxicology consultations that may prove critical in the event of an intentional contamination of animal feeds. The project will allow for the development and maintenance of a qualified workforce in various analytical methodologies to effectively and knowledgeably respond to a contamination incident and to help ensure the continued availability of laboratory investigative and surge capacity essential to timely recovery from an animal food- or drug-related contamination incident.
