It was bound to happen. It was just a matter of time before some researcher had the idea that they could "monitor" a lab experiment from beyond the actual laboratory, usually down the hall in their offices.. I have no idea how prevalent it is nationwide. Is it occurring elsewhere? Please let me know if you have a policy either banning or allowing them. I am against them, and base my reasoning on the fact that during an overnight reaction recently, supposedly "monitored" by use of a web cam, a fire started under the fume hood. ( 1 AM ). Response time obviously is slowed. I fear that eventually a researcher will "monitor" reactions from their home. We have a policy discouraging unattended overnight experiments, not an outright ban, because that would be unenforceable. So, what's going on in your research institution? -Stefan Wawzyniecki CIH, CHMM NRCC CHO UConn EH & S