#AIHceEXP: The @pidgirl experience

Photo by Jennifer Morris Photography

#AIHceEXP May 20-23 2018 Philadelphia, PA

The primary reason that we attend the #AIHceEXP annually is to exhibit our suite of gas detection products.

Featured real-time detection products included: 

First level screening tools for rapid identification of the source of the spill/smell/area of concern-Total VOC monitoring: Model 102+ PID with multi-sensor options and Model 115 FID





Second level screening tools for separation of components where general knowledge of types of contaminants/chemicals are being used: Continuous monitors: Model 112
(PID/FID or TCD).
Hand-Held GC: Model 121

Third level tools for sophisticated monitoring:
Model 312 Portable Gas Chromatograph with PC on board and dual detector capability-ideal for applications where the user can eliminate sending samples to the lab
Model 301C: Process Analyzer for 24/7 data reporting of complex matrices.

Nearly everyone who came by my booth at #AIHceEXP wanted to know what makes our PID lamps last so long? How do we have an 11.7eV lamp that operates for 500 hours? The answer is simple: We developed the technology and have, since 1973, had a reputation in the gas and vapor detection industry for manufacturing durable, accurate and reliable instrumentation. While there are commercially available products that are in smaller and in sleeker packages, our competitively priced PID remains the most sensitive and selective on the market. Interested in trading in your old PID and upgrading to an HNU? Contact me today.

My father, Jack Driscoll, and I are also members of the Real-Time Detection Systems Committee which meets in-person at this meeting. This is a very active committee and although there was a 6am start time for this group, the room was full! Additionally, I moderated an education session for the Real-Time Detection Systems Committee programming titled: Studies in Real-Time Detection Systems: Monitoring Exposures. This session had over a hundred people at it and was broadcast live to the virtual conference attendees. One of the speakers in the session, Phil Smith, who is a longtime colleague and friend of our family, was inducted as an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Fellow at the Mark of Excellence Breakfast!

Photo by Jennifer Morris Photography

I've been Chair of the AIHA Teen Workplace Safety Task Force since September 2017 and we had our first in-person meeting at #AIHceEXP. This is a grass-roots effort that is under the AIHA Government Relations umbrella. We are currently seeking additional task force members and if educating teens in your community about workplace safety and taking legislative action in your state to require that teens receive workplace safety as part of their educational curriculum in schools peaks your interest, please contact me to learn more.

AIHA excels at organizing and facilitating networking events! From the Catalyst Merry-Go-Round to the MSA Power Hour, I logged lots of networking at this conference!

I even managed a quick visit to LOVE Park on my way between #AIHceEXP social events!

Talking safety: Why safety matters

Invited presentation on the PRES track at #ACSBoston

Talking safety: Why safety matters
by Jennifer Maclachlan, PID Analyzers, LLC

Maclachlan is the Chair of the American
Industrial Hygiene Association's Teen
Workplace Safety Task Force

Safety is a core value for many professional societies including the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Through education, training and leading by example, members of the ACS and AIHA can create what ACS President, Peter Dorhout, has coined an "ethos of safety". 40 young workers die each year, and 60,000 more are rushed to the emergency room due to workplace injuries. Educating students about workplace hazards that include but are not limited to chemical, electrical, physical (fall, trip, slip), emotional (includes verbal abuse, bullying etc.) and more using tools like the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Talking Safety curriculum and abbreviated materials known as Safety Matters, developed jointly by NIOSH and AIHA, member volunteers of AIHA and ACS can introduce these to teachers, students and legislators in their own communities. Communication about ACS resources such as the Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary School and Academic Institutions will be addressed as well as other outreach opportunities that ACS can leverage to support safety cultures in 2018 and beyond.

What to expect at STEM Journey V on May 12th

Join us on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 11am-3:30pm at Sandwich High School for STEM Journey V. This event is organized by the Cape and Islands Boy Scouts Council of America, the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, PID Analyzers, LLC and Sandwich STEM Academy.

Event registration will begin at 10:45am. There will be two lines: One for pre-registrants and one for onsite registrations.

Opening ceremonies will begin promptly at 1100hrs and the US Air Force will present Colors.

STEM Journey V is a free, all-ages general public event hosted by Sandwich STEM Academy at Sandwich High School, featuring hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities and demonstrations, led by area stakeholders including educators, business owners and New England area colleges and universities. Having the participation of colleges and universities at STEM Journey gives high school students an opportunity to be exposed to the STEM fields of study and career paths that these institutions offer. STEM-related middle and high school student projects will be showcased, upcoming STEM workshops and camps will be promoted and supplemental resources for STEM Education in the classroom and for home-schoolers, will be available.

The Keynote Address on "Underwater Robotics in the 21st Century" will be delivered by Rhonda Moniz of Hydroid, Inc. at 1:15pm. 

Opening Remarks will be given at 1pm by Dr. Dorothy Phillips, member of the American Chemical Society board of directors on the topic: “Women in STEM”. #womeninscience

The mission of STEM Journey is to engage and excite grade K-12 students in Southeastern Massachusetts to pursue a study of and ultimately a career in, science, technology, engineering and math through the exploration of STEM-related activities, potential college majors and the lecture related to a successful career in STEM. Additionally, STEM Journey seeks to educate and inform the public about educational and technological trends in STEM fields through its exhibition partners and exceptional lectures.

Food trucks will be available onsite for the duration of the event, there will be a facilitated outdoor drone flying exhibition and we'll have live music by The Bert Jackson Trio from noon-3pm.

Contact Jennifer Maclachlan at pidgirl@gmail.com about the STEM Journey V event.

And check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/STEMJourney

Pre-register to attend STEM Journey using this link: bit.ly/STEMJourneyV