An important part of maintaining and protecting sample integrity is the ability to track the sample container throughout the process of sample collecting, transit to the lab, analysis, and reporting. A verifiable chain of custody aids in defensibility of results. Moreover, each container having its own "fingerprint" helps identify or eliminate container anomalies should issues arise.
QEC Custom Bar Codes will interface seamlessly with your lab’s tracking protocols and/or LIMS program, for complete traceability and absolute accountability. QEC can create bar codes for any of our containers, including Custom-Preserved™.
Custom Bar Codes are printed to order on a variety of high quality label stocks. Water-proof inks and permanent adhesives assure long-lived reliability.
QEC produces three styles of bar codes, any of which can be customized for each customer's needs.
Basic Bar Code: Provides the essential elements to give the container its one-of-a-kind "fingerprint" .
Annotated Bar Code: Most frequently used on Level 3 and Custom-Preserved™ containers, these contain all the information necessary to track the container and preservative from production at QEC through the completion of sample analysis. The bar code in the example shown below contains the combined preserving date and container ID number. The rest of the information is in human-readable form that can be keyboarded directly into your LIMS system. If your software permits, QEC can even enter the label information into your LIMS for you.
Multi-Line Bar Code: Typically used for Level 3 and Custom-Preserved™ containers. The multi-line format contains all of the information to identify and track the preservative and container in several bar codes. These can be scanned directly into your LIMS, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
In addition to those components shown, QEC can incorporate unique identifiers into a custom bar code for you, such as sampling site or laboratory department.
For complete information on how custom bar-coding protects your sample integrity, please contact your QEC representative or our customer service team.
Some Asian-imported glass VOA vials sold to environmental labs may have heavy metal content that is not in compliance with US EPA standards, according to published material from Richland Glass of New Jersey.
Asian-imported vials analyzed by Richland contained more than nine times the allowable level of arsenic, along with higher levels of other heavy metals (see chart below). The ASTM-E438-92 limit for combined arsenic and antimony is 50 ppm for Type I Class A glass.
US EPA directive OSWER9240.0-05A,1992 requires that glass vials used in EPA sampling analysis methods must be compliant with the ASTM-E438-92 “Standard Specification for Glasses in Laboratory Apparatus.”
Richland’s analysis also showed the Asian glass to be Type II soda-lime glass. This type of glass is durable and travels well, but it is softer and has expansion properties far in excess of Type I borosilicate glass (see chart). This means the vial may expand or contract beyond acceptable limits under temperature extremes, or may fail altogether.
Depending on application and use, these issues may or may not be of concern to some purchasers. Nevertheless, it is QEC’s policy to provide only vials that are EPA-compliant Type I borosilicate glass.
For more information on QEC glass vials or containers and QEC quality assurance, please contact your QEC representative, or contact Michael McCune (mmccune@qecusa.com, 800-255-3950).
Source: Richland Glass Company
Qromix™ products are precision engineered and manufactured in the USA using the finest quality materials for consistently reliable performance.
Stop by Booth 2418 anytime, place a first-time order for selected Qromix™ vials, closures or septa and get an equal amount of that same product at no additional charge.
This offer is for 9mm and 8mm screw top vials, 11mm crimp top vials, and a selection of compatible closures and septa.
Take advantage of this Pittcon Special to step up to top-of-the-line autosampler vials, closures, and septa. Some popular Qromix™ features include:
- Type 1 Borosilicate clear and amber glass
- Graduation marks and write-on patch
- Ribbed heavy-duty polypropylene caps
- Pigment-free low-bleed septa
Some restrictions may apply. Full details will be available at our Pittcon exhibit, or you may call 800-255-3950.
If you want to schedule a specific time for your booth visit, contact Michael McCune or Jason Kesterson, 800-255-3950.
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