FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2003
Contact: Burton St. John or
Diane Todd, 609-581-6062/6093
www.usps.gov

POSTAL SERVICE BEGINS REMOVAL OF CHLORINE DIOXIDE FROM TRENTON FACILITY

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ - The Postal Service successfully met the criteria 
of the initial phase of the decontamination process at the Trenton 
Processing and Distribution Center this morning, and is now beginning the 
removal, or "scrubbing" phase of the chlorine dioxide in the facility.

	"The process went like clockwork and we are on schedule to 
complete the chlorine dioxide removal phase," said Tom Day, Postal Service 
Vice President of Engineering. "We will continue to keep measures in place 
to ensure the safety of the surrounding community," he said. He added that 
there were only three minor leaks that posed no health concerns during the 
initial phase, and that these leaks were immediately contained.

During the scrubbing process, people living or working in the vicinity of 
the building may smell an odor that is similar to the chlorine used to 
disinfect swimming pools, he said, but that odor is normal and does not 
present a safety concern.

	The scrubbing phase should take approximately 20 hours to 
complete. After that, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
representatives will inspect the interior of the plant to determine when 
it is safe for personnel to enter and begin the sampling phase.

The Trenton facility has been closed since October 18, 2001, after it was 
contaminated by anthrax spores released by letters processed there.

          Members of the community who have questions about the process 
can call a toll-free information line at 1-800-527-0741.  The deaf and 
hard of hearing can access the information line through TTY 
1-800-418-5301.  Additional information is available at  www.usps.com.  
Click on "News and Events," then "Serving the Community," then "Security 
of the Mail," for the fact sheets and answers to the most frequently asked 
questions.

Note: The next general update for the media will be at the temporary 
Joint Information Center (JIC) at 9 a.m. Sunday. The JIC is 
approximately one-half mile south of the Trenton facility, at 555 
Route 130 South, near the temporary site of the Trenton Post Office. 
In addition, a media tour will be offered of the exterior of the 
Trenton Plant on Thursday, October 30th at 9 a.m.						           

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