Further study is needed to determine if irradiated mail poses a serious health risk to mail handlers, according to the U.S. Office of Compliance.
Office mail handlers have reported skin irritation, nausea and other symptoms since the U.S. Postal Service last fall began irradiating lawmaker’s mail to kill potential anthrax spores. And while the number of affected employees and the severity of symptoms have declined in recent months, many workers continue to report symptoms, according to the Office of Compliance.
The Office of Compliance began its investigation in February after several employees working for Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) began reporting symptoms (DIRECT Newsline, Feb. 11). Further study is needed before it could draw any conclusions, the government agency said.
In addition to the Capitol, several USPS facilities around the country reported outbreaks of anthrax, which led to the USPS to request about $5 million from Congress to purchase irradiation equipment. That request is still pending. Last fall, the USPS purchased some equipment and began irradiating mail at selected locations nationwide after the attacks.
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