We did look at putting QR codes on chemical labels but this would require users to take the cell phones in the lab (which end up there anyways). The reason for concern is cross-contamination, whereby one may be touching cell phones with contaminated gloves. For those who have small children at home, please make sure you are not handing your phones over to them to play with. The phones often end up in their mouths, exposing them to hazards of contamination.

Happy n safe Holidays,

Ashwani

On Friday, December 20, 2013, Debbie M. Decker wrote:

You might recall this Kickstarter campaign from earlier this year http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1742632993/heirloom-chemistry-set?ref=recently_launched

In the narrative, they mention the following: <John says, "we're the only ones putting QR codes directly on the chemical labels." A quick scan of the code with a cell phone, and the MSDS appears on your smartphone.>

To which my PhD candidate responds (in her forward to me): <Aside from this being just plain awesome, the QR code idea is pretty neat. It's too bad vendors don't include them on their labels so an MSDS is available instantaneously. I think people would be more inclined to read the safety info if it was one step closer.>

How can we, as a Division, encourage chemical manufacturers to do this?

Debbie

PS: For the uninitiated, a QR code is a next-generation bar code, for lack of a better descriptor. They appear as a black and white square on all sorts of products. Scanning the QR code with a smart phone gives you information, additional content, money-saving coupons, etc.

--------

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO

Safety Manager

Department of Chemistry

University of California, Davis

122 Chemistry

1 Shields Ave.

Davis, CA 95616

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."