Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The overwhelming majority have been false alarms. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.

First, do not panic – while we want to remain vigilant, we should not overreact or panic.

• No return address
• Possibly mailed from a foreign country
• Excessive postage
• Restrictive markings like “Personal” or “Special Delivery”
• Misspelled information in the address
• Addressed to a title, rather than an individual
• Uneven in shape, rigid or bulky packaging
• Oily stains, discoloration or crystallization on the packaging
• Excessive tape or string

What Employees Should Do 

• Remain calm.
• Direct someone to call the Triton College Police Department at x3206
• Don’t shake, open, smell or taste the item or any visible residue.
• Isolate the item and do not try to clean up any spilled powder.
• Avoid further contact with the mail or package suspected of contamination.
• Evacuate the immediate area, but have everyone who was in the immediate area stay in a group until police arrive.
• Try not to touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, chairs, tables, phones, etc.
• List all people who have touched the letter and/or package.
• Follow through with recommendations by police, fire and health care officials.
• Be prepared to surrender personal items, including clothing, until same can be decontaminated.
• Wash your hands vigorously for five minutes with soap and water.

For more information about Anthrax, see the Center for Disease Control website at:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/