2025-10-20 – Weekly Lab Technician News : Unusual samples in labs

Last week, our community engaged in a variety of insightful discussions. Members shared their experiences on the best practices for using pH probes in challenging environments, and debated the impact of EDTA contamination on lab equipment. There was also a lively exchange of ideas on essential skills for lab technicians, highlighting the importance of both technical knowledge and adaptability. Additionally, several members contributed to a humorous thread about lab mishaps, offering a lighthearted break from technical conversations.


This Week’s Hot Topics

pH probes for viscous suspensions
A practical discussion on selecting the right pH probes for viscous samples, which can be tricky. This thread is particularly useful if you’re dealing with complex matrices in your analyses.
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What tanks first with EDTA contamination
This thread delves into the effects of EDTA contamination, an issue many labs face, on different types of equipment and what to check first.
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2025-10-16 – Weekly Lab Technician Jobs: Remote roles in wastewater services available
A valuable resource for those exploring new career opportunities, especially if you’re interested in remote work in wastewater services.
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FAQ/Guidelines
A must-read for new members, covering the essentials of participating in our forum effectively.
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Admin Guide: Getting Started
If you’re new to managing lab operations, this guide offers a solid foundation to get started.
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Key Skills Every Lab Technician Should Have
An engaging thread discussing the skills that are becoming increasingly important for lab technicians to thrive in modern labs.
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Unusual Samples Tested in Labs
A fascinating look at some of the more peculiar samples lab technicians have encountered, offering a glimpse into the unexpected aspects of the job.
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Funny Lab Mishaps
A light-hearted thread where members share humorous incidents from their labs, reminding us that mistakes can often lead to laughter.
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Essential Software for Lab Data Management
Explore recommended software tools that can streamline data management in labs, a crucial element for efficiency and accuracy.
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Safety Gear Recommendations
A practical discussion on the best safety gear for lab environments, highlighting what works best for different types of hazards.
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Looking forward to another week of engaging and informative discussions. Keep sharing your experiences and knowledge!

But double-junction pH probes survive slurries; weekly KCl soaks help, @Ravi — never store dry.

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For EDTA contamination, we do a 30‑second 0.1% CaCl2 rinse before DI, @Guide — 316 stainless survives; PVC yellows.

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We run a “dirty probe” setup: a cheap single‑junction pH probe lives in chelator‑heavy samples so our nicer probes never see EDTA, and we use single‑use buffer sachets to prevent back‑contamination — adds about $0.30/run but saves headaches. If that’s not in budget, time‑box it: do EDTA work last and park the probe in storage solution overnight before clean matrices, this has saved us. @Guide this complements your rinse approach and cuts down on rework.

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