well all, there seems to be no consensus about whether the mail is being irradiated or not. Seems to me if you're sending out seeds in the mail you can't afford to assume anything. Acc. to the usps page you sent in Allan, there are indeed plans to implement irradiation: ----------------------------------------- "Tuesday | Jan. 29, 2002 | 7 AM
( Indicates new or updated information) Irradiation Update: Irradiated mail is sterile and poses no hazard. It is not and cannot be radioactive. That's the message that USPS and NALC officials are sending to USPS employees. USPS and NALC officials have worked together to compose a mandatory stand-up talk for employees, explaining how irradiation works, its effectiveness at rendering the mail safe from biohazards and how USPS is using the technology. The talk was e-mailed to facilities Jan. 25. USPS is leasing irradiation facilities in Ohio and New Jersey to decontaminate mail and has issued contracts for purchase of irradiation equipment. When that happens, irradiation will be used on targeted mail, not all mail. Currently, the only mail being irradiated is destined for specific government offices in ZIP Codes 202, 203, 204 and 205. USPS says irradiating all mail simply is not practicable. The FDA has extensively evaluated the safety of irradiation and found that using irradiation destroys disease-causing germs. Dangerous substances are not created. Irradiation can adversely affect some mailable products, such as biological samples, diagnostic kits, photographic film, food, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Electronic devices would likely be rendered inoperable and drugs and medicines also can be affected. USPS will continue to take responsibility for selecting and implementing the best technology available to protect the health and safety of USPS employees and the public." --------------------------------- This means???? I spoke with (I believe it was) Aaron at the BDA and was told they've already heard reports of seeds dying going through the mail. I thought someone on this list has already found out how to mark a package when mailing it so that it will NOT be irradiated. Surely, the big seed suppliers would know this info? Best Regards, Jane ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 7:58 PM Subject: Re: Mail Irradiation Here's what I found on the Postal pages http://www.usps.gov
