The concern of Federal law enforcement officials for terrorist activities includes the possible use of letters and packages as a delivery vehicle. It is important for you to know the safeguards that are in place.

Mail destined to Iowa State University is screened a number of times before final delivery. The U.S. Postal Service is monitoring mail as it flows through the postal stream, and mail received at Postal & Parcel Services is inspected for suspicious appearance. Any suspicious mail is returned to the U.S. Postal Service for further inspection.

It is Important to Note:
All U.S. mail sent with a permit imprint or mail processed through a commercial mailing machine is traceable back to the point of origin of the permit holder or the commercial processing unit. Iowa State University uses both of these methods to apply postage to mail sent through the Post Office. The U.S. Postal Service believes it is unlikely that permit imprint or commercial mailing machine mail would be used as a delivery vehicle for terrorist activities.

Sample Permit Imprint
Sample Commercial Mailing Machine Stamp

Recent News From the Postal Service
http://usps.com/news/2001/press/pr01_1019postcard.htm

If you receive suspicious mail (including mail or packages that have a light coating or powdery substance):

  1. Do not handle or try to open
  2. Treat it as suspect
  3. Isolate it
  4. Notify the ISU Department of Public Safety at 294-4428
  5. Notify Postal & Parcel Services at 294-7790. We will contact a U.S. Postal Inspector for assistance.

If you are going to handle mail or packages that have a light coating or a powdery substance you should ALWAYS wear nitrile or rubber gloves.

If the mail / package or its contents are suspicious, and you have handled or opened the item, you should IMMEDIATELY:

  1. Isolate the item
  2. Double-bag the letter or package in a zipper type or zip-lock type plastic bag if the package or contents are suspicious
  3. IMMEDIATELY wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and water after removing your gloves
  4. Blow your nose and leave the tissue with the package
  5. IMMEDIATELY ensure that all persons in your department who handled the letter or package wash their hands with soap and water
  6. Notify your immediate supervisor
  7. Make a list of all persons who touched the letter or package and include contact information and telephone numbers. Forward this list to the ISU Department of Public Safety.
  8. Notify the ISU Department of Public Safety at 294-4428.

If part of your work includes handling mail, we encourage you to review these additional resources. You may choose to print copies and post them in areas where mail is handled.

For additional information on the proper handling of letters and packages, please visit Iowa State's Environmental Health and Safety web site.

Links to Other Important Resources:

U.S. Postal Inspectors

Mail Bombs - http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/bombs.htm
What to do if You Receive an Anthrax Threat -  http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/pr01_1010tips.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Bioterrorism Site - http://www.bt.cdc.gov

Iowa Department of Public Health Bioterrorism Information - http://www.idph.state.ia.us/terrorism/