irradiation shipping advice

[Sally Shelton]

Unless it is going to a Federal unique zip code (the 202**-205** series) in DC proper AND is packaged as a large letter or flat, it will not be irradiated. Only mail to those zip codes is being diverted to Ohio, and, of that mail, only first-class letters and flats are being irradiated. Packages and bulk mail are not being irradiated but may be very delayed if sent to those zip codes (we are just now getting October mail). Mail to Virginia per se should be just fine with regard to both irradiation and delays. If you are really concerned, though, and have the budget for it, you can use one of the overnight services: those are not at this time irradiating anything. Obviously, another incident could change all of this, but for now that is the best info we have from USPS. 


Sally Y. Shelton
Collections Officer
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC   20560-0107
phone (202) 786-2601, FAX (202) 786-2328
email Shelton.Sally at nmnh.si.edu

List owner, PERMIT-L


>>> Ron Gatrelle <gatrelle at TILS-TTR.ORG> 2:00:33 AM Tuesday, January 08, 2002 >>>
I am ready to ship two spread butterfly specimens that will be the holotype
and "allotype" for a new species.   I am using my regular method of using a
Schmitt box with a foam pinning surface  packed inside another well padded
large box.  This is going from South Carolina to Virginia (Washington, DC
area).  Has anyone done this recently  -- especially with foam pinning
surface?   I am concerned about  possible heat from irradiation affecting
the foam?   Other concerns?  Advise (through group is fine)

Ron Gatrelle
TILS president
Charleston, SC - USA
http://www.tils-ttr.org