{
  "id": "RS21184",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RS21184",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 104008,
      "date": "2002-03-27",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:13:10.539941",
      "title": "Irradiated Mail",
      "summary": "In response to the mailings of the bioterror agent  Bacillus anthracis , the U.S. Postal\nService has\nbegun systematic sterilization of mail destined for federal government offices in the Washington\nD.C. metropolitan area. The mail is sterilized using irradiation by electron beam, a method widely\nused to treat food and medical devices. The USPS is considering expanding sterilization procedures\nto include all non-commercial mail. The USPS predicts that this may cost up to $2.25 billion and\ncould start as early as FY2005. This report examines some of the issues surrounding benefits and\nproblems with mail sterilization in general and with irradiation in particular. In addition to large\ncapital and operating costs, this procedure can damage some mail. There is also concern regarding\npeople who have handled irradiated mail reporting skin rashes, headaches, breathing problems,\nvomiting and bleeding. The USPS is working with Congress and experts from the public and private\nsector to determine if the irradiated mail is the source of these problems. This group is also working\nto change mail processing procedures to minimize any potential problems caused by irradiation. \nClearly, potential health effects will be addressed before irradiating a larger portion of the mail. This\nreport will be updated as events warrant.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RS21184",
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          "filename": "files/20020327_RS21184_00fb5ade1ddf87462b0e1c3636ff96d1113878ad.pdf",
          "images": null
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      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Science and Technology Policy"
  ]
}