BCS Laboratories, Inc

Biological Consulting Services of North Florida, Inc. (BCS Laboratories) is an established microbiological research and testing facility that incorporates a multidisciplinary team of scientists. BCS's newly acquired facility houses a full scale 5000 square foot laboratory dedicated to the advanced microbiological testing of food products, environmental samples and client devices and processes. BCS's experienced team of scientists and laboratory technicians ensure the highest level of reliability, accuracy and efficiency. We conduct our work and serve our clients with great pride and passion through meticulous dedication to detail, responsive service, excellent customer service and competitive pricing.

BCS Laboratories complies with all scientific laboratory standards including those formulated for unique samples and analytical requirements. Our laboratory specializes in the testing of environmental samples for pathogenic contaminants not tested by other laboratories. Our services are tailored to provide customers with the most informative answers based on available methodologies. BCS Laboratories is accredited by the State of Florida Department of Health and is registered with the US EPA Laboratory Compendium per The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC / NELAP) and The NELAC Institute (TNI). BCS is audited and regulated by FLDOH to ensure compliance with national ISO17025 standards of laboratory performance, safety and accuracy. BCS Laboratories is an USDA approved facility for the analysis of pathogens in soil (USDA Facility ID 2949) and holds permit P526 for the receipt and analysis of foreign soil and biosolids samples for pathogens (Animal Health and Plant Inspection Servise Permit P526P-13-01699). Additionally, BCS is a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program.

BCS Laboratories personel have closely collaborated with various state and government agencies on pathogen detection and environmental pollution and remediation projects. These agencies include the CDC, EPA, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Energy, US Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

BCS's scientists have extensive experience in three major areas of microbiology: virology, parasitology and bacteriology. As a result, BCS offers a wide range of services such as: pathogen analysis, detection and enumeration, biosolids pathogen compliance, fecal contamination sourcing, and pathogen reduction and control. We are accredited for the analysis of various indicators and pathogens in water and solids. We regularly test environmental liquid and solid samples for enteric microorganisms that are fecally shed, including Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC), total and fecal coliforms, Enterococci, fecal strep, Salmonella, E. coli, Helminth ova, parasites (click for description) (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), and enteroviruses.

In addition to our indicator and pathogen monitoring services, we actively conduct studies to validate device microbiocidal efficacy, disinfection efficacy testing (ASTM E1053-11, ASTM E1052-11, ASTM E2197-11, ASTM E2752-10, ASTM E2149-10, ASTM E2315-03 (2008), ASTM E2111-12, ISO 22196:2011, and AOAC 961.02 (EPA spray disinfection protocol for disinfectant (pesticide) Registration), disinfection validation studies, antimicrobial testing, sanitizer validation studies, antiviral efficacy testing, process challenge, and microbiological consulting.

We also offer extensive testing to validate filtration process efficacy, filter media efficacy, and pathogen removal efficacy by point of use devices. Studies are based on NSF/ANSI and EPA purifier testing protocols. Based on study sponsor's requests, standard ASTM or NSF/ANSI purifier testing protocols are utilized. Additionally, BCS Laboratories customizes testing protocols and designs studies that address our customers' needs and goals. The studies are based on parameters outlined in NSF 42, NSF 53, NSF 231, and/or NSF P248. All studies are designed and conducted in order to provide our clients with the most comprehensive and detailed information about their product and its capabilities.

In addition to the standard studies we regularly perform, we conduct miniature studies on a research basis to validate client's claims or explore potential efficacy of products provided. The studies conducted are fully customizable. These exploratory studies provide our clients with information about their product(s) and set a direction for future testing. BCS conducts full scale studies according to GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS (GLP) as per 40 CFR Part 160 - US Environmental Protection Agency. These studies allow our clients to provide fully defensible, detailed studies to regulatory agencies for product registration and claim validations.

The President and owner of BCS Laboratories, Inc., Dr. Jerzy “George” Lukasik (Link to CV), established the company in 2000 while employed at the University of Florida as an Assistant Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor. BCS began as a single-person company and has expanded into a multiperson successful and reliable operation. Dr. Lukasik remains thoroughly involved in the daily supervision and operation of the company and interacts with clients, lab studies and personnel at all times.

Dr. Lukasik has more than forty significant publications in the field of BCS's specializations. He is identified by the United Nations World Health Organization (UN WHO) as a food virology authority. He has consulted many national and international panels that assess microbial pollution and disinfection. He is a member of the Florida Society of Environmental Analysts, American Society of Microbiology, the US Building Envelope Science Institute, The Water Environment Federation, and the International Association of Water Quality.

The threat of biological contaminants in water, food, soil and biosolids is an ever-present danger. The importance of clean food and water can not be overstated. BCS provides services which impact public health on the most basic level through pathogen detection (including emerging pathogens), and validating methods for their inactivation and removal. BCS actively collaborates with private entities, municipalities, local and state offices, governments agencies, and international clients. It provides access to accurate microbiological information and study data; therefore ensuring our clients have the most reliable information to protect the health of the people. For more information about drinking water standards, potential health effects and possible sources of contamination, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html#mcls.

Companies with novel antimicrobial processes and/or products also seek the expertise of BCS to prove their efficacy. Now more than ever, the manufacturer, supplier and consumer need to know that the product they provide or purchase performs as it should– for example, that their hand or surface sanitizer actually kills 99.9% of disease causing bacteria or that a water bottle filter removes 99.99% of pathogens in drinking water. Our business has grown as more companies seek to validate their claims and provide their customers with a proven, high-quality product tested by an independent laboratory.

Furthermore, the emergence of novel pathogens (such as Influenza and amoeba) has led to an increased demand for their detection and methodologies for disinfection. As the demand for novel anti-microbial products increases, the requests for our laboratory to test these products increases substantially. We actively participate in studies for the development and identification of new and improved methods for pathogen detection and removal.

BCS is registered with the State of Florida Department of Health and with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an advanced pathogen detection laboratory. BCS is also registered with the EPA Laboratory Compendium and closely collaborates with various government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), EPA, US Department of Agriculture, US Geological Survey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

BCS's business has grown steadily over the past ten years due to the ever increasing demand for our services, our meticulous dedication to detail, responsiveness, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing.