At 10:02 6/11/02, Thomas Clausen wrote:
Walt,
Informative message.
What kind of radiation is used? It sounds pretty drastic.
And what is the safe procedure for mailing sensitive things, then? Other
than not mailing it, that is.
Not mailing it!
The following is ***fact***, not opinion . . .
It's *not* microwave and it's *not* X-Ray (which won't kill certain types
of spores and other biological weapons). It's electron beam
bombardment. This is not simple electro-magnetic radiation. This is high
energy particle **bombardment** that blows chemical compounds (molecules)
into pieces (elements and smaller molecules). Think in terms of an atomic
version of a heavy, very large bore machine gun. Especially susceptible
are long organic molecular chains because of their size and fragility when
bombarded by atomic particles (what do you think causes radiation
sickness? similar atomic particle bombardment and it has the same
effect). Since polymers are also long chains it also rips them to shreds,
and since it's electrons with the associated high energy electro-magnetic
fields around them, it is also highly destructive to micro-electronics.
Last October I posted a portion of a Kodak press release about the machines
made by Titan the USPS was procuring to "sanitize" the mail. I'm quoting
it again so you don't have to search the archives for it:
US Mail to be sterilized: Implications for Kodak and the photo industry
On Saturday, Oct. 27, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced
a contract with the Titan Corporation of San Diego for the purchase of
eight electron beam sterilization systems for use in sanitizing the US
Mail. USPS also has an option for 12 additional systems.
According to Postmaster General Jack Potter, one of the first areas to
receive the equipment will be the greater Washington Metropolitan Area,
when delivery begins next month. However, USPS also contracted to use an
existing Titan facility, beginning immediately.
Kodak is working with the USPS and various trade associations to better
understand the full extent of the situation as it may apply to unexposed
and unprocessed film, since film can be damaged by ionizing radiation.
-- John
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