Procedures on Handling Suspicious Mail Pieces
Updated October 30, 2001
Recent news reports have included FBI warnings regarding reports of possible anthrax contamination through the mail stream. This message is to reassure all university employees who handle unopened mail that there are a number of safeguards in place. Washington State University incoming mail is screened twice before it is delivered to University departments. The U.S. Postal Service routinely monitors mail entered into the postal stream, and mail received by Washington State University Mailing Services is also inspected for suspicious markings.
Nevertheless, you should be on the lookout for unusual mail. The U.S. Postal Inspectors have detected the following typical characteristics in regards to suspicious letters or parcels:
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Excessive postage
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Excessive security material such as tape, string, etc.
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Handwritten or poorly written address, and misspelled words
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Unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
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Addressed to someone no longer with your organization or otherwise outdated (e.g., improper title)
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Bears no return address, or one that cannot be verified as legitimate
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Unusual weight, given its size; or lopsided
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Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
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Protruding wires, strange odors or stains
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Dusted with a light coating of a powdery substance
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Exhibits a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address
What should you do if you receive a suspicious letter or package in the mail?
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Do NOT try to open the letter or parcel
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Set the letter or package down gently and leave it undisturbed to avoid release of spores into the air
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Evacuate the immediate area
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Wash your hands with soap and water and ensure that all persons who have touched the letter also wash their hands. Avoid touching anything (like doorknobs) until your hands are washed.
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Notify the WSU Police or your local police by dialing 911. WSU employees in Pullman should also notify Mailing Services at 335-2104. Employees at other locations should notify an available supervisor. WSU Police will arrange to collect the letter and conduct an investigation. Police in other locations will follow their own procedures.
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List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow up investigations and advice.
What should you do if an envelope or package with powder spills out onto a surface?
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DO NOT try to clean up the powder. COVER the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover!
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Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
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WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face -- Avoid touching anything (like doorknobs) until your hands are washed.
What to do next…
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If you are at HOME, report the incident to local police (Call 911).
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If you are at WORK, report the incident to WSU police or local police in your area (Call 911) and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.
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REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
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SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or other disinfectant on your skin.
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List all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list both to the local public health authorities, so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.
As a precaution, gloves, and particulate masks (CS# 2203) are available from Central Stores. If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact Becky Veliz, Mailing Services Manager, 335-2104, bveliz@wsu.edu.