Agreed.....I had a similar experience during an audit of an Asian Pharma company. Outside of the US, especially in some of the developing countries, resources are limited and pipetting by mouth still appears to be a common technique. A few years back I had a new employee (ex-US) and we were appalled when he started to pipet by mouth. We quickly acted and explained to him the right technique and what was the proper equipment to use to pipet liquids. He was so amazed that with his first paycheck he ordered a 12 pack of pipet bulbs and sent them back to his ex-US university so they could start teaching the "new" technique. From that point forward, the warning of not pipetting by mouth has stayed in all our procedures associated with the transfer of liquids........ Perhaps an ACS educational initiative for the ex-US, with respect to this technique, may be something to consider..... George Director, Quality Control GPO - Quality Assurance Abbott Labs This communication may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, or exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any other dissemination, distribution, use or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail and delete it from his or her computer. Michael CooperSent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List 05/18/2009 08:41 PM Please respond to Michael Cooper To DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU cc Subject Re: [DCHAS-L] Pipetting rule Some of the mouth pipette experience may be coming from abroad. During a routine safety inspection of non-US facilities in both Asia and the mid-east, mouth pipetting was considered common & a time saving technique. A mouth siphoning apparatus was also in common use Ð including for vehicle/motor bike transfers on company property. Mike Michael N. Cooper MS, MPH, CIH Sr. Managing Scientist Exponent / Failure Analysis 149 Commonwealth Drive Menlo Park, California 94025 Work (650) 688-1760 Cell (408) 313-2127 -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 5:02 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pipetting rule I know of one chemist who thought it would be a good idea to start a siphon by mouth to reduce the volume of an over-filled solvent waste drum. I don't know if it can be attributed to his being foreign or what. If it isn't said, it isn't policy--I had to re-do an SOP to address this. JSB -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Mowery Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 15:19 To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pipetting rule Colleagues, During our annual review of safety rules and printed mataerials, one of my young colleagues asked me if it is still necessary to include the rule "Never pipet by mouth." She has never seen it done, and couldn't imagine anyone who would EVER think of doing it. I guess I could ask the same about the "No eating or drinking" rule. Any thoughts? Barbara Mowery General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator Physical Sciences Department York College of Pennsylvania 441 Country Club Road York PA 17403-3651 717-815-6480 Fax 717-849-1653 This information is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this e-mail communication by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by returning this message to the sender and delete all copies.
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