fair use for educational and discussion purposes... (Barefoot you be careful if you touch this stuff....)

Link

Irradiated Mail Causes Illness

WASHINGTON (AP) - A package irradiated as part of the government's anti-anthrax screening gave off a noxious gas Thursday when it was opened at the Commerce Department, sickening at least 11 workers, a fire official said.

The workers complained of nausea, breathing problems and throat irritation, and two were admitted to a hospital in undetermined condition, D.C. Fire Department spokesman Alan Etter said.

The FBI and hazardous-materials workers were dispatched to the scene and blocked off 14th Street in front of the Commerce Department during the evening rush hour. The building is situated at 14th and Constitution Avenue, a block from the Ellipse.

Etter said a package of copy paper tightly wrapped in plastic gave off a noxious gas when it was opened. He said health officials believe the irradiation process can cause paper to give off hydrocarbons that are harmful when concentrated. Gas was held inside the package at the Commerce Department because it was tightly wrapped, Etter said.

Two women who work on the fifth floor of the building called 911 at about 3:45 p.m., after they began to have trouble breathing. The women, who were not identified, were taken to the hospital.

As an investigation was under way, other workers began to call emergency officials to report that they had some of the same symptoms.

Etter said irradiated mail has made people sick at least five times in Washington over the past several weeks.

``People respond differently to this based on their current health condition,'' he said. ``We don't know how serious it can get.''

Thursday's incident was the first indication that the screening for anthrax spores or other biological agents in mail could cause health problems. Postal officials have said only that the process could damage such perishables as film and medication.

Officials have been irradiating mail to all federal buildings in the aftermath of the anthrax scare in which two letters tainted with the bacteria were sent to Capitol Hill.

Etter said Commerce officials would have to decide whether to allow workers into the room Friday. A department spokeswoman did not return a message left on her answering machine late Thursday night.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Answers

Interesting.

I've been out sick since Tuesday night. I think it's the flu, but...sore throat, nasty cough that is more annoying in its frequency, a runny nose that seems to be caused by the throat lozenges more than anything else. Headache at times, not much of a fever but hot and cold sweats occasionally. Occasional blurriness of vision. Nyquil helps quiet the coughs and allows me to sleep. due to the nasty cough I have sore chest muscles. I don't feel much congestion in the chest, only when I cough.

Sleeping a lot. But not at the right times and not for more than a couple hours at a time. Probably the Nyquil.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

I wouldn't normally recommend this course of action because the symptoms you've described tend to clear up on their own in about 11 - 14 days; however, since you're a postal worker and have been exposed at least twice (by your own admission) and probably more than that to potentially dangerous substances, I would suggest that you see your/ (a) doctor in the near future (if you haven't, already) and have some diagnostic tests done for anthrax and other unusual bacteria.

Failing that, avoid the OTCs . . . they tend to worsen the problems they're supposed to clear up. Combinations of honey, lemon, hot water, whiskey (if you tolerate alcohol okay) are better to help you sleep. You may or may not have luck with the herbs. With my body chemisty, zinc lozenges tend to stop colds dead in their tracks if I take them within 4 hours of noticing the symptoms. In others, the zinc doesn't do anything or makes them sick.

Also, check around your food handling areas. Once, I was in a house where the people where processing raw chicken and didn't wipe down the counters well. We were all getting sick for about a week after. Look also for molds, release of gasses from your new construction . . . these things could be bothering your body if it's not the flu/cold thing.

But, Barefoot, please see your doctor soon if you haven't already. I think postal and UPS/FED-X workers are at special risk right now.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

Thanks meemur, I can have the tests done at one hospital in this county, or one in Broward. Individual doctor offices are apparently unable to do them. The work thing is something that has been bothering me a lot.

I cleaned the kitchen today, as a matter of fact. I think I'll do it again. Can't hurt, might help.

I have liquid zinc, one tablespoon a day with food. Also, magnesium and calcium in liquid form. Much easier for the body to absorb. Can only take two together, the third can follow about an hour later, according to the doctor. Better to take with food.

Making a doctor appt ain't easy. But, if I don't feel better over the weekend I'll either go into the doctor's office and get squeezed in or go to the emergency room at that one hospital. I suspect that if I say I am a postal worker it might speed things up.

I like the Nyquil cuz it soothes the cough. It really only gets bad if I talk too much. [note to self: get Lysol spray for the phone and bathroom.] Nyquil also makes me drowsy. Must be the alcohol content. Maybe I can just do shots of rum? LOL

I wonder if that idiot supervisor is sick...

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

The rum is better for your body than the Nyquil. Really!

Yes, tell them you're a postal worker. Don't mess with this -- your health isn't worth it.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002

I cleaned the kitchen today, as a matter of fact. I think I'll do it again.

You are sick. See a doctor immediately.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002

I meant wiping the counters again, silly. Not the whole thing. Although it could use it.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002