Guidelines for Opening Irradiated Mail

To safeguard the health and security of federal employees, GSA has developed the following guidelines for opening irradiated mail in close coordination with members of the Legislative Mail Task Force on irradiated mail.

Task Force members represent: the Senate Sergeant at Arms Office, the Office of the Attending Physician at the U.S. Capitol, the Executive Office of the President's National Science and Technology Council, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Senate Postmaster, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, and the U.S. Postal Service.

GSA offers these guidelines as general safety and security procedures for opening incoming mail that has been irradiated. These guidelines are intended as guidance for those federal employees who open mail as part of their responsibilities. Every worksite is different and should be evaluated using these guidelines, recent experience with irradiated mail, and the nature and volume of incoming mail. These guidelines should be implemented only to the extent that a worksite evaluation suggests they may help.

  • Review the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines for suspicious letters or packages and report any suspect parcel as necessary in accordance with the employing agency's policies.
  • Ensure that appropriate emergency numbers are posted above every phone at locations where irradiated mail is opened. These numbers should include: 911 for emergencies; CDC at (770) 488-7100; local Postal Inspector; Federal Protective Service or other law enforcement personnel with jurisdiction over the building; and local police or fire department.
  • Keep the area for processing mail separate from all other operations if feasible.
  • Clearly label the places used to receive incoming mail and those designated for outgoing mail.
  • Open mail gently with a letter opener; do not tear envelopes.
  • Ensure that the place used to open mail has adequate ventilation.
  • Spread out the mail so it can "air out."
  • Any individuals who have had prior skin reactions related to opening the mail should consider wearing gloves when opening mail.
  • If using gloves, they should be non-latex, non-powdered and the appropriate size. Cotton gloves may be used by themselves or considered as liners to decrease irritation and absorb perspiration. (Personal protective equipment should conform to the CDC guidelines.)
  • Avoid touching the mouth, eyes or other mucous membranes when handling mail, even when wearing gloves.
  • Gloves should be changed when they are noted to be grossly dirty or have perforations. Gloves should be removed when eating, drinking, or smoking.
  • Wash hands with soap and water after handling mail, after removing gloves, before eating, drinking or smoking, or when replacing torn or worn gloves.
  • To reduce the drying effect of hand washing, use a water-based moisturizer each time after washing hands.
  • Consider photocopying irradiated documents, if appropriate, and disposing of the originals.
  • Do not enclose unopened mail in a box, drawer or bag.
  • Individuals with skin sensitivities or known respiratory conditions who have experienced adverse symptoms when opening or handling irradiated mail should talk to their supervisor to consider making arrangements for someone else to open the mail temporarily.
  • Alleviate symptoms of eye or nose dryness or irritation with over-the-counter saline eye drops or saline nose spray as frequently as necessary.
  • Report all symptoms to an appropriate health office to be evaluated, if possible, and logged; if no health office is available, the supervisor or manager should keep the log.
  • If the symptoms are not improved by these measures or if an individual experiences continuing symptoms, the individual should be re-evaluated by their personal health care providers.
  • When irradiated mail appears to be releasing odors, place irradiated envelopes and any unneeded contents in a covered container or tied plastic bag. Dispose of the materials without reopening.
Last Reviewed 3/9/2009