From: Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Many people have questions about how mailrooms and offices should
handle mail that may contain a written threat of chemical or biological
material inside, or mail that may contain some form of powder.
Following are common sense steps to take in workplaces. They
have been developed jointly by health professionals, the FBI,
and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
The risk of contracting any disease from an envelope is extremely
low. General awareness of one's surroundings and suspicious mail
is appropriate.
General precautions for those who
handle large volumes of mail:
- Wash your hands with warm soap and water before and after
handling
the mail.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke around mail.
- If you have open cuts or skin lesions on your hands, disposable
latex gloves may be appropriate.
- Surgical masks, eye protection or gowns are NOT necessary
or
recommended.
If a letter is received that contains
powder or contains a written threat:
- Do not shake or empty the envelope.
- Isolate the specific area of the workplace so that no one
disturbs
the item.
- Evacuation of the entire workplace is NOT necessary at this
point.
- Have someone call 911 and tell them what you received, and
what you have done with it. (Law Enforcement should also place
a call to the local office of the FBI and tell them the same
information.) Indicate whether the envelope contains any visible
powder or if powder was released.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for one minute.
- Do not allow anyone to leave the office that might have touched
the envelope.
- When emergency responders arrive, they will provide further
instructions on what to do.
Important:
- Do not panic.
- Do not walk around with the letter or shake it.
- Do not merely discard the letter.
For more information contact:
California Joint Information Center - (916) 262-1832
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