November 2, 2001—The US Postal Service (USPS) announced October 29, 2001, that it has adopted tough new measures to protect the public and postal employees from the threat of biological agents, including new mail screening technology and protective gear for employees.
1. The Postal Service is taking measures to sanitize the mail and safeguard postal facilities’ indoor air quality (IAQ). To sanitize mail, the USPS is purchasing electron beam systems and services, which will be used in select areas to kill any biological agent, including anthrax, inside or outside mail items. According to Postmaster General Jack Potter, one of the first areas to receive equipment will be the greater Washington Metropolitan Area. In addition, all postal facilities are switching from forced-air systems to remove dust from machines to either special filter-equipped vacuums or manual cleaning.
2. Based on a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Postal Service has purchased 4.8 million facemasks and 90 million pairs of gloves for employees. The Postal Service has shipped the masks to 140 locations, starting on the East Coast. The gloves are made of Nitrile, a high-grade industrial plastic. The USPS is supplying 4-5 pairs per employee each day nationwide.
3. The Postal Service reports that it has a clear process for dealing with contamination. The USPS has commissioned precautionary tests at 200+ postal facilities around the country to make sure they are not contaminated. If contamination is found at any postal facility, the contamination is immediately eliminated, and any other appropriate steps are taken, including closing an affected area. Whenever any Postal Service employees might have been exposed to contamination, they are tested, provided with precautionary medication, or both, according to expert advice.
4. The Postal Service is educating the public, employees, and businesses on how to handle the mail safely. 145 million postcards are being sent to all households throughout the country explaining how to safely handle suspicious mail. The USPS is also making available upon request a free video and poster, “Biological Threat: Protecting Your Mailroom.” The items can be requested at 800-STAMP24. In addition, a 24-hour employee assistance hotline is available to all postal employees and their immediate family members: 800/EAP4YOU (1-800-327-4968).
5. The Postal Service is investigating to see that justice is done. The USPS is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of the terrorists who attacked the mail; provide tips by calling 800/CRIME-TV. As of the morning of Oct. 26, 2001, postal inspectors had arrested 14 individuals for anthrax-related hoaxes and are continuing to investigate 13 additional hoax cases.
