 The
Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory was established by the state
in 1892 to provide chemical analyses for the control of fertilizer
quality. Since this time it has been providing these and other services
to the state of Mississippi and was established as an independent
state-supported agency under Section 57-21-1 et seq. of the Mississippi
Code of 1972. At the present time, in equal partnership with the
Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the State Chemical Laboratory
assures the quality and safety of fertilizers, animal feeds and
pesticides bought by Mississippi farmers. It jointly approves registration
and labeling of all feeds and fertilizers with the Department of
Agriculture and Commerce, and performs all chemical analysis of
pesticides sold in Mississippi for the information and regulatory
action of the Plant Industry Division of the Department of Agriculture
and Commerce. It analyzes all limestone from the state's lime plants,
checks private water supplies, analyzes state minerals and ores,
provides industrial chemical and toxicological consulting services,
and performs human and animal toxicology analysis, cooperating with
hospitals, doctors, veterinarians and law enforcement agencies.
It is the primary agency responsible for the safety, wholesomeness,
and quality of the State's food supply with the exception of meat
and milk. It checks foods, soils, and water for hazardous levels
of pesticides and drug residues. It conducts research on basic scientific
problems of chemical and/or microbiological nature that are of importance
to the state and its people. It analyzes petroleum products, gasoline,
diesel, kerosene, and antifreeze) sold in the state for the Mississippi Department of
Agriculture and Commerce in the Petroleum Products Division.
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