The state hygienic laboratory shall be a permanent part of the state university of Iowa. It shall make or cause to be made microbiological and chemical examinations and other necessary investigations by both laboratory and field work in the determination of the causes of disease, shall suggest methods of overcoming and preventing the recurrence of the disease, and shall evaluate environmental effects and scientific needs, whenever requested to do so by any state agency, state institution, or local board of health when the investigation or evaluation is necessary in the interest of environmental quality and public health and for the purpose of preventing epidemics of disease.