Mail irradiation vs. your electronics

[The Night Phantom]

As you may know, the US Postal Service is starting a program of irradiating the mail, in reaction to the recent anthrax incidents. However, there's some legitimate concern that irradiating the mail might harm more than just microorganisms. If you send or receive electronics through the US mail, there is potential for damage. ABCNews.com has a somewhat inconclusive story about this problem.

 

I'm no expert on these issues; so, I don't know the full extent of the risk. If you have something valuable to contribute, please do!

 

In the meantime, you may consider employing/requesting other carriers and/or insurance on any electronics items being shipped. Egad—I'd hate to think of a valuable prototype being lost to safeguards against 21st-century terrorists!

[Genki]

If their irradiating method are similiar to microwave, sending a metal plate in the mail would fry something big time. Possibly start a fire. Even CD and CD-ROM won't be safe as microwaving it can cause the aluminum layer to crack up like an antique glazed vase.

[atarimastermarty]

That stiks!! i just ordered Jims Heart will go o from Hozer! my game what will happen??

[Atari-Jess]

nooooo if my jag gets wrecked im really gonna be pissed!!!!!!

[Ze_ro]

quote:

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Originally posted by wi1ykat:

If their irradiating method are similiar to microwave, sending a metal plate in the mail would fry something big time.

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I really doubt they'd do something this stupid... microwaves are way too dangerous to throw at random things. However, I have no idea what they would actually use... but I would imagine they have taken at least some precautions for things getting ruined by the radiation.

 

--Zero

[Atari-Jess]

i just read that article.... man i just hope that one of them machines is not where my jag is gonna pass through... im more worried about customs.... yay Atari Pro II!

[Raccoon Lad]

Electron bombardment? more than enough to kill large animals?? What ever happened to good old Gamma ray bombardment? They were using Gamma rays to sterilize beef in certain test markets because gamma rays destroy DNA, thus killing bacteria, so how come they're using the seemingly more problematic electron bombardment? wouldn't a simple piece of foil in an envelope destroy this machine??

[Atari-Jess]

maybe we should mail stuff with tinfoil in it just to make the machines useless (jk)

[StanJr]

Gah! I just shipped Atari-Jess's Jag this morning! They better not toast it or there will be one VERY disgruntled Stan outside the post office with a really big stick.

 

I'd imagine considering all the electonics that go through the US MAIL that they would have safeguards, or they would quickly owe a lot of people a lot of $$$$.

 

Somewhat nervous Stan

[Sylentwulf]

Irradiating is something that's done to a LOT of products, Pet food just started to have this done to it (I worked at petco).

 

All it does is get rid of bacteria etc.. it's done to humand and pet food, LOTS of which has aliminum packaging. I don't remember much, and don't feel like getting into it, but electronics will be fine. If you were to send the flu or some bacteria culture, or maybe fruit flies, then you'd have an issue....

[Atari-Jess]

so you mean that box of fruit flies i sent stan today would all be killed???? damnit!!!

 

 

[ 10-30-2001: Message edited by: Atari-Jess ]

[Genki]

What about the dog crap I just mailed to an hositile person I knew from old school? Would it come out like a solid brick that doesn't smell? Or would it come out even worse than ever? One thing for sure, it won't be infested with maggots.

[StanJr]

BAH! I must get those fruit flies. I have to do something with all this fruit!

 

Fruitful Stan