Re: arsclist Irradiation of mail

[Jerome Hartke <jhartke@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Information posted below seems a bit anecdotal. Past postings are
confusing because they have not been very specific. Steve's comment
regarding "heavy dosage" is not clarifying. "Significantly powerful"
anything, including bulldozers and nuclear explosions, can destroy CDs.

Regarding x-rays, they do not damage media but the powerful magnets in
x-ray machines can erase magnetic media that is placed in proximity to
the magnets.

Regarding CD irradiation, information posted by Media Sciences at
http://www.mscience.com/faq29.html is specific in terms of electron beam
energy, dose, using values represented to be in current use by the USPS.
Media Sciences does not wish to guarantee any results, but our results
do show that media degradation by irradiation of the mail is minimal.

If readers are unclear about USPS procedures, they contact their USPS
consumer affairs office or USPS packaging specialist.

J. Hartke
Media Sciences, Inc.

Steven Smolian wrote:
> 
> Here is an informal report on irradiation of packages as regards
> magnetic media and CDs.
> 
> It is clear that significantly powerful irradiation will destroy CDs
> and erase magnetic media.
> 
> Postings to the AV listserv and various web postings are a bit
> confusing.  Information has developed as this became an issue, and
> many postings are dated last November or not at all.
> 
> The general consensus seems to be that the heavy dosage occurs as mail
> enters the recipients' system.  Large US Government addresses for
> buildings where there is great concern have the most stringent
> processes.  This includes the Library of Congress, Smithsonian,
> Congressional offices, etc.  No special precautions seem to have been
> taken at less massive installations.
> 
> I was told the Smithsonian has a special address which bypasses their
> normal mailroom processing, but I don't know what it is.
> 
> The Library of Congress has had problems with irradiation of the US
> mail.  Packages arriving by private carrier (UPS, Fed Ex, etc.)are
> arriving OK.
> 
> It is unclear what the post office is doing in the normal course of
> its business.  The same can be said for UPS which tells me they can't
> inform us as it is a security matter, although, as mentioned above,
> materials shipped through them are arriving OK.
> 
> Fed Ex has acknowledged the issue and offers a solution.
> 
> Susan Carr, the Fed Ex Webmaster, sent me an email which I here
> condense.
> 
> "We do not x-ray our packages or use scanning devices that will affect
> magnetic media.
> 
> It is recommended that shippers mark their packages "Keep Away from
> Magnetized Material" to avoid close proximity with other
> magnetized and radioactive items.
> 
> The FedEx small box (12-1/4 x 10-7/8 x 1-3/8") is a self assembling
> box.  Mark "FedEx Box" on the airbill."
> 
> FedEx recommends the use of bubblewrap for cushioning.  The recipient
> should be advised to unpack the media and let it sit at room
> temperature 6 to 8 hours before use  (presumably to reacclimatize).
> 
> "The FedEx letter or courier pak envelope cannot be used for shipping
> any kind of magnetic media.  For more info, call 800-463-3339."
> 
> My comment:
> 
> Great, except that the box is to large to fit into their shipping bins
> as found on the street.  I note some folks leave their big packages
> next to the Fed-Ex mailbox which raises security issues.  I leave mine
> at Staples which has a daily pickup at no extra cost.  I assume other,
> similar services are available where you are.  They also pick up when
> called.
> 
> Presumably, the private carriers have no problems with CDs.
> 
> Please note.  This is a survey, not a guarantee.
> 
> Steve Smolian

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