Re: [AV Media Matters] New Test Results

[gluk@loc.gov]

In the interest of generating further comment on the science involved in
this testing, it should be noted that the Library of Congress has also
received significant amounts of "melted" CD discs and jewel cases as a
result of the USPS irradiation procedures that have been applied to all
incoming mail following the resumption of regular mail deliveries to the
Library (including the U.S. Copyright Office) in March 2002. As a
previous post suggested, it is apparently the heat generated by the
process that is largely responsible (although the temperature levels
were lowered somewhat after the initial extreme damage was observed).


_______________________
Gregory Lukow
Assistant Chief
Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division
The Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20540-4690
Phone: 202-707-5840
Fax:  202-707-2371
Email:  gluk@loc.gov


>>> jhartke@mscience.com 05/04/02 11:38:26 AM >>>
Results we reported for CD discs were based on tests conducted in
close
coordination with the USPS and with one of the companies that
irradiate
mail under contract to the USPS. Electron beam energy and dose were
comparable to those now in use for that purpose.

Information from Mr. Brothers is somewhat confusing. It seems to be
second-hand and third-hand information, and is not confirmed by the
controlled experiments we just reported. Media Sciences is not aware
of
any irradiation of mail that melts package contents, including CD
discs
and jewel cases? When did this irradiation occur? Was it U.S. mail or
did it go through a different postal system?

J. Hartke

Peter Brothers wrote:
> 
> Tape, as well as discs are being damaged by the irradiation now
being
> used
> on mail.
> 
> After giving a presentation at the National Archives in DC on
disaster
> recovery of magnetic tapes, I was approached by a government
employee
> who
> asked if irradiation is likely to damage magnetic tape.  I mentally
> reviewed
> the studies that have been done by various agencies and industries
over
> the
> years and answered, as most experts would, "No, irradiation is not
> likely to
> seriously damage magnetic tape".  And, unless someone does something
> that
> most experts wouldn't consider because it is obviously ridiculous,
the
> answer was correct.
> 
> Of course, this government agency had recently received a number of
> magnetic
> recordings through the mail that had been melted.
> 
> It was once safe to take magnetic media through airport security.
They
> have
> now added magnetic wands that can erase media.  Irradiation has been
> used in
> the past to kill fungus on media.  They now irradiate in such a way
and
> with
> such intensities that it melts the media.  Another method rumored to
be
> under consideration for treating media, on site, that is suspected
of
> anthrax contamination is a 50% chlorine solution.  I'm no
> microbiologist, so
> I can't fairly evaluate if this would kill the spores.  I do know of
a
> number of media, however, that don't stand a chance of surviving the
> treatment.
> 
> So, yes, there are a number of instances where media has actually
been
> melted by the irradiation now being used on letters and envelopes.
> Strangely enough, unless they have changed the policy recently, they
are
> only irradiating envelopes- not boxes.  Go figure.  I guess they
assume
> anthrax spores don't like boxes.  Until they change the policy, you
> might
> want to consider shipping all your media in boxes.  It may be more
> expensive
> for single units but it's a real pain trying to play back melted
tapes
> or
> discs.
> 
> Peter Brothers
> SPECS BROS., LLC
> Tape and Disc Disaster Recovery
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charles Repka [mailto:Charles.P.Repka@abc.com] 
> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 8:46 AM
> To: AV Media Matters
> Subject: RE: [AV Media Matters] New Test Results
> 
> But the heat generated by other sterilization processes will
absolutely
> fry
> the discs.  We have received a number of (promotional) CD here in
our
> office
> that had been run through a sterilization process.  The discs
heavily
> discolored and warped beyond recognition.
> 
> Charles Repka
> >
> >
> > Tests conducted by Media Sciences in early 2002 on CD-ROM discs,
> > recorded CD-R discs, and unrecorded CD-R discs indicate that
electron
> > beam irradiation of the type used to sterilize U.S. mail does
> > not impair
> > media interchange. See http://www.mscience.com/faq29.html.
> >
> > Regards,
> > J. Hartke
> > Media Sciences, Inc.

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