Re: [DCHAS-L] Heirloom Chemistry Set - comment from a PhD candidate

QR codes for MSDSs are provided on some Fisher Education bottles.

Monique Wilhelm
Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan-Flint

-------- Original message --------
From: "Debbie M. Decker" <dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**UCDAVIS.EDU>
Date: 12/20/2013 3:55 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Heirloom Chemistry Set - comment from a PhD candidate

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.
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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<mailto: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."