irradiated mail complaints


This morning, representatives from the Legislative Mail Task Force, including the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the United States Postal Service, and the Office of the Attending Physician held a briefing for Senate chiefs of staff, administrative assistants and office managers on the safety of irradiated mail. The experts concluded that the irradiated mail arriving on Capitol Hill should be safe, based on two key adjustments they made to the irradiation process: (1) a lowering of the dosage at which mail is irradiated and (2) ventilating of the mail after irradiation before delivery on Capitol Hill. At least 12 staff members in attendance either expressed concern about staffers getting sick after handling the mail or asked for advice on how to improve mail-opening areas, such as increasing ventilation.

Also today, the Senate Sergeant at Arms gave Sen. Chuck Grassley a verbal response to his Jan. 30 inquiry seeking the number of staffers who have complained of illness related to the Hart building clean-up and irradiated mail. Sen. Grassley learned:

·In a preliminary estimate, from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4, approximately 73 staff members working in all three Senate office buildings complained to the Attending Physician's Office of headaches, skin rashes, dry mouth and eye irritation after handling irradiated mail. Examining health officials attributed some of the complaints to colds and flu and dry weather.

·Soon after the Hart building re-opened, between 50 and 60 staff members complained of ill health effects such as dry eyes, dry throats and headaches. Building managers have been recirculating air in the building, and complaints have decreased.

Sen. Grassley made the following comment on these developments:

"The experts are devoting a lot of time and resources to making sure the mail is safe. Clearly, their process has involved some trial and error. This mail situation is unique. What's important is that the experts continue to respond to changing circumstances and safety problems, and that staff members continue to come forward with any health concerns. This applies not only to Senate staff, but to postal workers as well. I look forward to learning more from the mail task force as its work continues."