USPS Issues New Alert on What You Can’t Send Through the Mail
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is of course part of our lives, which implies we have been taking benefits of its companies for many years. However that does not essentially imply we’re conscious of all of the company’s guidelines. As an example, do you know you may get your supply service suspended if there is a unfastened canine in your neighborhood? Or that new USPS pointers permit staff to throw away packages with counterfeit postage, even when the shopper wasn’t conscious {that a} sender used faux stamps? Now, the company is issuing a brand new warning about one other means you would be breaking postal rules with out even realizing it. Learn on to search out out why the USPS has put out a brand new alert regarding what you possibly can’t put within the mail.
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Again in Could, the USPS was compelled to briefly closed three totally different submit places of work in Michigan. On Could 15, a employee on the Lake Station Submit Workplace found what gave the impression to be a mercury spill after loading mail on a postal truck in Clare County, Michigan, 9&10 Information reported.
In keeping with the native information outlet, emergency officers confirmed that mercury had leaked from a bundle on the Lake Submit Workplace, prompting the closure of that facility and a neighboring one in Lake George, which was on the identical mail route.
The company additionally briefly closed a 3rd Michigan submit workplace in Farwell through the investigation, however all three amenities have since reopened.
However one other submit workplace in Henderson, Nevada, was briefly closed final month for the same challenge, native CBS-affiliate KLAS reported. Postal staff on the Las Vegas Parcel Assist Annex in Henderson found a small quantity of mercury on June 5.
“Out of an abundance of warning the ability was closed, and all mail remoted for analysis and remediation by Industrial Hygienists and different specialists,” USPS spokesperson Rod Spurgeon advised KLAS.
Following these incidents, the Postal Service has now issued a brand new alert to prospects about prohibited supplies.
Something containing mercury just isn’t allowed to be mailed, and the USPS is ensuring to remind the general public about that given latest occasions. In a June 29 press launch, the company issued a brand new alert to prospects, warning that “metallic mercury and gadgets containing metallic mercury are all the time prohibited within the mail stream.”
“This consists of vintage objects corresponding to thermometers, barometers, blood stress displays and comparable gadgets,” the USPS defined.
The one exception is compact fluorescent lamps, which the company mentioned are allowed for home mail however not internationally, as a result of they “comprise small quantities of mercury in vapor kind.”
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Generally utilized in thermometers, barometers, and thermostats, metallic mercury is “the pure type of mercury” and will be poisonous to people when absorbed by way of the physique, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
“Whereas this type of mercury just isn’t readily absorbed into the human physique by contact or by way of the digestive tract, it does vaporize at room temperatures and inhalation of those vapors will be dangerous to your well being,” the company explains.
It is easy for folks to be uncovered to metallic mercury when gadgets containing mercury break—and extended durations of publicity to even small ranges of mercury vapor could cause well being issues, like irritability, sleep disturbances, and tremors, the CDC says.
“Publicity to mercury vapor concentrations excessive sufficient to supply such severe results may additionally trigger coughing, chest pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, will increase in blood stress or coronary heart charge, pores and skin rashes, and eye irritation,” the company provides, noting that over time, this may trigger severe injury to your mind, kidney, and lungs.
In mild of the potential well being considerations, mailing prohibited supplies like metallic mercury can “have severe penalties for everybody concerned,” the Postal Service defined in its launch. Consequently, the company warned prospects that they may face main repercussions in the event that they ignore these guidelines.
“Full duty rests with the mailer to adjust to all Postal Service and non-Postal Service legal guidelines and rules within the mailing of hazardous materials,” the USPS mentioned.
This implies you would be fined and even arrested for mailing any gadgets that comprise metallic mercury.
“If an individual knowingly mails objects or supplies which might be harmful or injurious to life, well being, or property, they could face a civil penalty of a minimum of $250, however no more than $100,000 per violation, the prices of any cleanup related to every violation, and damages,” the USPS warned in its launch. “They could additionally face legal penalties.”
The company added, “The Postal Service is dedicated to the protection and safety of its staff, its prospects, and its transportation networks and can stay vigilant in safeguarding the mail stream in opposition to any article which may pose a hazard to well being, security, property, or the atmosphere.”