From http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/26/national/26MAIL.html?searchpv=past7days
"Experts generally agreed that foods sent through the mail would not be affected. No radiation or significant heat is generated in the process, which is already widely used to sterilize bandages, food containers, spices, surgical supplies and food for astronauts and the Army. But the high-energy electrons that penetrate material to kill bacteria and spores could also destroy electronic circuits and data on floppy disks, and they could alter the inks in photographs, officials at some companies that build or operate sterilizing equipment said." Inks in photographs!!?? More.... "The technique could also change some materials in unpredictable ways. For example, electrons can bounce around inside minerals, including gemstones and glass, in ways that change the color of the material. Topaz is routinely modified commercially from clear to blue through ion beam sterilization, though at greater energy levels than those proposed for sanitizing the mail. Mineralogists said similar reactions could occur in glass at the energy levels being considered by companies competing for postal contracts. The consequences would vary tremendously depending on the type of glass, but clear glass could turn brown, for example, said Dr. George R. Rossman, a professor of mineralogy at the California Institute of Technology." In the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53136-2001Oct25.html "The mail that's going to you and I, at this point, there's no indication whatsoever of any ongoing problem," he [Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan] said. "We're looking at . . . mail going to certain locations where you're more likely to have a risk of someone doing something stupid, whether it's mail going to Congress or the White House or Planned Parenthood." More than 120 abortion clinics, many run by Planned Parenthood, have received anthrax threats in recent weeks." What the post office says: http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/pr01_1027titan.htm "The Postal Service yesterday awarded a contract to the Titan Corporation of San Diego, CA, to provide electron beam systems and services to sanitize mail. Titan will subcontract with its subsidiary SureBeam to provide the proprietary electron beam systems. According to PMG Jack Potter, one of the first areas to receive equipment will be the greater Washington Metropolitan Area, when delivery of the systems begins next month." tv -- Thomas Van Veen Photography www.bigdayphoto.com 301-758-3085 - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
