The Department of Public Health is authorized to establish and operate a toxicological laboratory service for the purpose of testing specimens submitted by coroners, physicians and law enforcement officers in their efforts to determine whether poisonous, biologically infectious or radioactive substances have been involved in deaths, accidents, or illness; providing technical assistance and advice on the safe handling of such specimens; and for the further purpose of testing samples of water, air, and other substances to determine the radioactive or chemical ingredients of pollutants or industrial wastes which are or may be emptied into, or found in the streams, waters and atmosphere of this State, and for similar purposes.