12 Resolutions for 2012: A Checklist for Lab and Process Professionals

January 3, 2012

The new year has begun. A fresh start. A clean slate. A whole new day. Get started right with this checklist, designed to jog your memory about those items that can be easy to forget.

1)    Take stock of your lab supplies. What are you missing? What needs to be replaced? What has expired?

2)    Check your equipment. It performs best when it is regularly maintained and recalibrated. Are any instruments due to be recalibrated?

3)    When was the last time you cleaned and spinned your pH electrodes? For a fast and easy demonstration, watch the video.

4)    Order or update your safety gloves. If you’re not sure what materials are compatible with the chemicals you work with, check the Safety Glove Chemical Compatibility Database.

5)    Have you signed up for the quarterly Cole-Parmer eNEWs? It is your source for technical articles, tech challenges, special promotions, and more. It’s free. Sign up here.

6)    The bandages and medications in your first aid kit were likely depleted throughout the year. Restock your kit.

7)    Make sure you’re in compliance. Call an Application Specialist to get answers to updated regulatory compliance issues.

8)    Look at the expiration date on your pH buffer solutions. Is it time to replace them?

9)    Are the hazards in your facility properly labeled? Choose signage that clearly advises employees.

10) Examine your water purification cartridges. Swap them out with new cartridges for purer water.

11) Still using glass thermometers containing mercury? Don’t jeopardize your health! Switch them with environmentally-safe, nonhazardous liquid-filled glass thermometers.

12) Scrutinize your pump tubing for any cracks or fissures. Order new or backup tubing to prevent production losses.


“Baby, it’s Cold Outside”

December 23, 2010

If you live in the Eastern or Midwestern United States, there’s no need to guess how cold it is outside this winter ―the new H-B Instrument Enviro-Safe® Nonhazardous Glass Thermometers available from Cole-Parmer will confirm that. 

H-B Instrument Enviro-Safe® Thermometer

H-B Instrument Enviro-Safe® Thermometer

Cole-Parmer is proud to present these new Earth-friendly “green” thermometers certified as 100% nontoxic, nonhazardous, and biodegradable.  These accurate and safe thermometers offer the same accuracy as mercury thermometers without the hazards.  They are ideal for use in laboratories, universities, food/beverage, environmental, wastewater, and many other general-purpose applications where the presence of mercury or other hazardous liquids is not desired. 

 All Enviro-Safe glass thermometers contain an environmentally friendly non-mercury liquid that is 100% certified as nontoxic, nonhazardous, and fully biodegradable. In case of breakage, the liquid can be cleaned up easily with soap and water.  These thermometers also have recyclable packaging, an antiroll fitting, individual serial numbers, and a statement of accuracy.

So, what’s so bad about mercury thermometers, anyway?

Mercury thermometers are harmful to both the environment and your personal health.  In fact, Mercury is toxic to humans and wildlife.  If a mercury thermometer breaks and is not properly disposed of, tiny droplets of mercury can evaporate within the environment over time.  When mercury vapor enters the bloodstream through inhalation, brain damage, spinal cord, kidney, and liver damage may occur in time.

Additionally, improperly disposing of mercury from thermometers can contaminate lakes and streams.  Mercury may accumulate in the bodies of fish and other wildlife and, through natural processes, converts this mercury into methyl mercury, which is harmful to humans when consumed.


See Cole-Parmer at IFT, Chicago, July 18-20

July 8, 2010

Take a look at Cole-Parmer’s new and best-selling food process, quality, and safety products at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo®, held at McCormick Place in Chicago.

APEX 100 Metal Detector

APEX 100 Metal Detector

Innovative new products on display include the APEX 100 Metal Detector from Thermo Scientific. Using only food-grade materials in its construction, the APEX 100 meets the hygienic standards required by the industry—including HACCP policy compliance. It features dual frequency and gain operation for maximum application flexibility and is fully tested to meet IP65/NEMA/ATEX requirements. Designed for reliability and ease of use, the detector can be matched exactly to a specific conveyor width and product height through numerous aperture size configurations available.

Instruments for food quality and safety testing including refractometers, pH meters, viscometers, thermometers, and more will also be displayed.

Stop by booth #6719 and register for a chance to win one of twenty Super-Sizzling Summer Cool Packs containing a 12-can MusiCooler, a Wireless Weather Station, a 28-oz water bottle, and a freezer pack. You can also request the 2010 Cole-Parmer® FoodTECH Source® catalog.

For more information, call 800-323-4340 or visit ColeParmer.com/7979.


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