# Presentation: 457273

## Use of Irradiation
to 
Decontaminate Mail

**to **
**Decontaminate Mail**

## 
Electronic Beam creates a stream of electrons
Electrons are “sprayed” on the target
Electrons hit target and transfer energy
Dose, amount of energy, is strong enough to break DNA structure

**Electronic Beam creates a stream of electrons**
**Electrons are “sprayed” on the target**
**Electrons hit target and transfer energy**
**Dose, amount of energy, is strong enough to break DNA structure**

**How Does Irradiation Work?**

## Technology has been in use for decades
Extensive tests were conducted to test validity
Armed Forces Radiobiological Research Institute, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Sandia National Lab, Food & Drug Administration, and US Department of Agriculture were all involved in test
Ongoing quality checks using dosimeters on every batch of mail

**Technology has been in use for decades**
**Extensive tests were conducted to test validity**
**Armed Forces Radiobiological Research Institute, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Sandia National Lab, Food & Drug Administration, and US Department of Agriculture were all involved in test**
**Ongoing quality checks using dosimeters on every batch of mail**

**How do we know irradiation works?**

## Live Material
Biologic Samples and specimens
Diagnostic test kits
Pharmaceuticals (efficacy altered)
Food (altered taste)
Glass products (clouding)
Film (complete exposure)
Plastic (pigmentation shift)

**Live Material**
**Biologic Samples and specimens**
**Diagnostic test kits**
**Pharmaceuticals (efficacy altered)**
**Food (altered taste)**
**Glass products (clouding)**
**Film (complete exposure)**
**Plastic (pigmentation shift)**

**What products can be affected by irradiation?**

## Irradiation process causes “outgasing”
Gases produced include; Ozone, Carbon Monoxide and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOC’s are present in many products in the mail industry
Mail is opened, vented, treated and monitored before processing.  Gas levels below EPA standard.
Complaints about nausea, headaches, eye & skin irritation
No medical/scientific evidence to link complaints to irradiated mail.  Study continues.

**Irradiation process causes “outgasing”**
**Gases produced include; Ozone, Carbon Monoxide and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)**
**VOC’s are present in many products in the mail industry**
**Mail is opened, vented, treated and monitored before processing.  Gas levels below EPA standard.**
**Complaints about nausea, headaches, eye & skin irritation**
**No medical/scientific evidence to link complaints to irradiated mail.  Study continues.**

**Are there other side effects?**

## The only mail currently being irradiated is destined to ZIP codes 202-205.  
All mail that was in either the Brentwood or Trenton facilities at the time of closing was irradiated
The only mail from Brentwood and Trenton not yet cleaned are packages that await X-ray treatment
NO other mail being irradiated

**The only mail currently being irradiated is destined to ZIP codes 202-205.  **
**All mail that was in either the Brentwood or Trenton facilities at the time of closing was irradiated**
**The only mail from Brentwood and Trenton not yet cleaned are packages that await X-ray treatment**
**NO other mail being irradiated**

**What mail is being irradiated?**

## Preparing plan for Congress to explain how we will spend the $ 500 million appropriation
Plan calls for the use of a variety of technologies to provide for the safety of both employees and customers
Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of irradiation, given the additional knowledge we have gained for actual use on mail
Any additional irradiation will be preceded with public notification

**Preparing plan for Congress to explain how we will spend the $ 500 million appropriation**
**Plan calls for the use of a variety of technologies to provide for the safety of both employees and customers**
**Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of irradiation, given the additional knowledge we have gained for actual use on mail**
**Any additional irradiation will be preceded with public notification**

**What are the next steps?**