How to Respond to a Suspicious Letter or Package

1. Do Not Open or Handle. Suspicious letters and packages should not be opened and should not be handled any more than is absolutely necessary. If the letter or package is deemed suspicious leave it alone and call BUPD at 353-2121. Keep others away from the area. Do not send suspicious letters or packages to BUPD or back to the mailroom.


2. Letter or Package Claiming Contamination. If you open a letter/package with information that claims to have contaminated you; but there is no substance seen or felt in the envelope or on the letter, the chances are that you have not been contaminated. Call BUPD at 353-2121 and tell them exactly what has happened. They will dispatch the appropriate personnel to your location to follow-up on your possible exposure and to document what has taken place. Secure the area until BUPD arrives. Do not handle the suspicious item any more and do not let anyone else handle the item.


3. Letter or Package with a Foreign Substance. If you open a letter/package that claims to have contaminated you or there is some sort of foreign substance in the envelope or package, place the letter back into the envelope/package and close it back up. The person that opened the envelope/package and anyone who came in contact with the envelope/package or its contents after it was opened should immediately leave the room and wash their hands with soap and water. Remove any clothing that has the substance on it and place the contaminated clothing in a plastic trash bag. Then wash your hands with soap and water. Call BUPD at 353-2121 to report the letter and tell the dispatcher you have opened the envelope/package, there is a substance inside, and what you have done up to that point.


4. The Risk will be Evaluated and Further Measures Taken If Necessary. BUPD and the Boston Fire Department will evaluate the risk to those in the room at the time of potential exposure as well as any impact on the remainder of the building. Based upon that risk assessment, further emergency measures may be implemented as necessary. BUPD will secure the area and keep a record of actions taken including those who were in the area. If the risk is found to be minimal, other areas of the facility will not be disrupted and any necessary actions to return the area involved to normal activity will begin as soon as possible.


5. If you need immediate response, please contact BUPD at 353-2121. For questions regarding these procedures, please contact BUPD at 353-2121 or Stephen Morash, Director, Emergency Response Planning, 414-2188.


6. If you would like to learn more about this subject, visit the CDC website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ or the Boston Public Health Commission website at www.bphc.org/director/php_mail.asp You may also visit the Office of Environmental Health and Safety website at http://www.bu.edu/ehs for disaster plan information and how to obtain copies of these plans

• Characteristics
• How to Respond

September 14, 2009