Federal Protective Service Guidance on
How to Handle Suspicious and Possibly
Contaminated Mai
lBackground:
This
information provides guidance to associates
of GSA-managed properties concerning the
general handling of mail and for
steps to take in the event a suspicious
letter, package, or object is encountered. These procedures are
being provided due to the current threat that presently
exists regarding mail that could be tainted
with anthrax or some other
biological agent.
General
Precautions for Mail Handling:
- Examine unopened
envelopes/packages
- Handle incoming mail
in a designated area
used only for mail.
- If the
envelope/package does not appear to
be suspicious as outlined below, proceed
to open mail
- Restrict access to
mail room to only authorized
individuals
Types of suspect mail:
- Excessive postage, no
postage, or non-canceled
postage
- No return address or
fictitious return address
- Improper spelling of
addressee names, titles,
or locations
- Unexpected envelopes
from foreign countries
- Suspicious or
threatening messages written
on packages
- Postmark showing
different location than return
address
- Distorted handwriting
or cut and paste lettering
- Unprofessionally
wrapped packages or excessive
use of tape, strings, etc.
- Packages marked as
"Fragile-Handle with Care",
"Rush-Do Not Delay", "Personal" or
"Confidential"
- Rigid, uneven,
irregular, or lopsided packages
- Packages that are
discolored, oily, or have
an unusual odor
- Packages with soft
spots, bulges, or excessive
weight
- Protruding wires or
aluminum foil
- Visual distractions
If you have
opened the letter or package
and you don't see any powder or other
questionable substance, no one is
at risk from anthrax. No
decontamination of treatment is necessary.
If
you receive a suspicious package,
letter, or object:
- Remain calm.
- Do Not Open the
package or letter.
[Note: The Center for Disease
Control recommends the following steps:
Double-bag the letter or package in
zipper-type or zip-lock type plastic bags
using latex gloves, if possible,
and a particulate mask.]
- If no container is
readily available, cover
the package or envelope with anything
available (e.g., trash can, clothing,
paper) and do not remove the cover.
- Do not touch your
eyes, nose, or any other
part of your body.
- Shut off any window
air conditioning unit,
fan, or other source of equipment that
creates air movement.
- Isolate the package
and close off the room
by shutting all doors and windows.
- Thoroughly
wash your hands with soap and
water.
- Immediately report the
incident to your immediate
supervisor and both local police and the
FBI (using 911 will connect you
to these sources) who will arrange to
collect the suspicious letter and
assess the threat situation.
- GSA's Federal
Protective Service should also
be contacted at this time regarding
incidents in Federal buildings.
- When calling the
Federal Protective Service,
local law enforcement agency, or servicing
emergency medical service, provide
the following information: your
name, location, a number you can
be reached at and as comprehensive as
possible description of the object.
- Remain in the area
outside of space where
suspected object is located and advise
fellow co-workers to avoid the area.
- Cooperate with
responding law enforcement
and emergency medical units.
- Do not leave area
until instructed to do so
by responding units.
- Ensure that all
persons who have touched the
letter wash their hands with soap and
water.
- List all persons who
have touched the letter,
envelope or package and provide the list
with contact information to the
appropriate personnel.
- Place all items worn
at the time in plastic
bags and keep them available for law
enforcement should they request them.
- Shower with soap and
water as soon as possible.
DO NOT PANIC:
Anthrax organisms
can cause infection in the skin,
gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. Usually the
organism must
be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or
inhaled as a fine, aerosolized
mist.
Disease can
be treated
after exposure to the anthrax spores with the
appropriate antibiotics.
Anthrax cannot
be spread from one person to another person.
USE
THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL PROTECTIVE
SERVICE NUMBERS IN AN EMERGENCY
MEGA
CENTERS (Life Threatening Emergencies)
MEGA
CENTER
(Washington Metropolitan Area)
Life Threatening Emergencies (202)
708-1111
MEGA
CENTER
(Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Puerto
Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands,
Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)
Life Threatening Emergencies 1-800-525-5726
MEGA
CENTER
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee)
Life Threatening Emergencies and Non-Emergencies (877) 825-9334
(Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Wisconsin)
Life Threatening Emergencies and Non-Emergencies (877) 719-4894
(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
Life Threatening Emergencies and Non-emergencies (877) 264-7650
MEGA
CENTER
(Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota,
Texas, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming, U.S. Territory of the Pacific)
Life Threatening Emergencies (303)
236-2911
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