October 25, 2001
From the desk of Mindles H. Dreck:Going Bio-Postal
In prior posts, I have pointed out that irradiation and UV light could be a solution to postal bioterrorism. Well, The AP reports that the Postal Service is "looking into it". Don't wait around:
To be practical, such a system would have to send letters past the radiation source at the rate of several a second, Doyle said, adding: ``I can't see one developing an irradiation unit that would accommodate that.''Others worry about security and environmental problems, especially if radiation is used.
``There are also some other issues that have to be dealt with, like the creation of ozone, which is a workplace hazard,'' said Wenonah Hauter, director of the Public Citizens Energy and Environmental Program.
The energy for some irradiation devices comes from radioactive isotopes, while others require only an electrical source.
Many say cost will prove the biggest obstacle, especially for the financially strapped Postal Service.
Edward Hudgins examines this idea on the Cato Institute's website, and points out that private agencies such as Pitney Bowes already offer mail security services. Naturally, this becomes an argument for privatizing the post office.
If course, if you are the New York Times you think the Post office is already privatized....
Posted by Mindles H. Dreck at October 25, 2001 05:24 PM | Technorati inbound links