Becoming Aware of Radiation Sources:
Mail Irradiation
In October, the deadly bacterium anthrax was found in mail sent to various news agencies, and to offices of the U.S. Congress. As a precaution, the U.S. Postal Service, with assistance from FBI and national public health experts, began irradiating mail to kill any potentially present anthrax spores.
On this page:
- Is my mail is being irradiated?
- What technology is being used to irradiate the mail?
- How does irradiation kill anthrax?
- Does mail that has been irradiated become radioactive?
- Are there changes to the mail after it has been irradiated?
- Have people complained of health problems from irradiated mail?
Is my mail is being irradiated?
Currently only mail to the White House, Congressional offices, and federal government offices in the 202-205 Zip Code exchanges is being irradiated. Irradiation is taking place at facilities in Ohio and New Jersey.What technology is being used to irradiate the mail?
The Postal Service has selected electron beam technology to sterilize mail one half inch thick or less. Some powerful x-ray devices may also be used for certain types of packages.How does irradiation kill anthrax?
Irradiation kills anthrax by shattering its DNA and other cellular components. The process for irradiating mail is the same process used to sterilize medical equipment.During irradiation, an intense stream of electrons (or x-rays if x-ray technology is used) strikes the mail and any anthrax spores it may contain. The radiation dose is very high, about 56 kilograys of radiation, which is approximately 2 million times more than a chest x-ray.