http://archives.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/conditions/07/02/irradiated.mail/index.html

I don't see how they can Irridate through glass ( used to work for them but I have no bloody idea what they're doing now) plastic would melt, according to the article.

I wonder if Canada Post doesn't do the same thing by now. Can you check that out?

Anyway alternatively maybe we should be thinking "what can Brown do for you?"

Maybe the Postal Service isn't the way to go anymore!

...it has ruined several of the rocks we sell for a living! GRRRR

Certain rocks/gemstones can have their color changed when irradiated (this is done intentionally far more than accidentally. We cut stones for jewelry designers & those in the metaphysical genre...and we've had SEVERAL rocks that were 'color changed' in the two-three days in took for the buyer to receive them. The only logical explanation is the USPS irradiation.

And if irradiation will change the color of a ROCK, just think what it does to FOOD!

Grrrr again.

And an even BIGGER "grrrrr"?...absolutely ALL herbs that cross our border are either sprayed/doused with pesticide AND/OR irradiated. And 95% of ALL products made with herbs on health-food store shelves ARE made with imported herbs!

If it doesn't say certified organic and/or wildcrafted from the USA on the label, then it IS made from imported herbs.

::::sigh::::

Unyquity

Hi Matt here,

as of March 2006 the EPA states:

Is my mail is being irradiated?

Currently only mail to the White House, Congressional offices, and federal government offices in the 202-205 Zip Code exchanges is being irradiated. Irradiation is taking place at facilities in Ohio and New Jersey.



http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/mail_irrad.htm


http://www.epa.gov/radtown/mail-irradiation.htm

The type of radiation used is evidently not the ionizing radiation associated with the nuclear type, but is electron beam technology.


http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/mailsecurity/allfaq.htm




"Q. Is the sanitization technology that the Postal Service is currently using safe? Can it be used on food products in the mail?
A. The first commercial irradiator was used in the 1960s to kill any lingering anthrax germs in lambswool sweaters. Though safe to people, it will kill germs, biological substances and any DNA, and can damage chemicals. Electron beam technology is currently used in food processing. It is not based on nuclear radiation and is considered safe."


I would like to know how much the mail or food is being radiated and by which type.

The ionizing type has got to be devastating to the quality of the food based upon this data:

""What is the radiation dose to the food?

Radiation doses vary for different foodstuffs. For the vast majority of foods, the limit is less than 10 kiloGray. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets radiation dose limits for specific food types:
Food Type Dose (kiloGrays)
fruit 1
poultry 3
spices, seasonings 30 ""

One gray is equivalent to 100 rads-- so irradiated fruit hit w/ one Kilo-gray = 1000 times 100 rads =100,000 rads.

Five hundred rads is the standard lethal dose sustained for one hour for a person.


http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/food_irrad.htm

Hi,

In case you don't know Lugol's was available at the three pharmacy's in Canada, where I inquired about it. One of them didn't have it in stock but can get 500 ml for $44.95 within a day (but not 100 ml.) It comes from Xenex Labs Inc in Coquitlin B.C., so no border crossing is needed.

They have a warehouse almost on the Canada/U.S. border in Washington state (driving distance - not likely mailing?) might be useful info for U.S. citizens living near there or in the state - at least a lead to follow for sources.