United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2002-08-22 monographic deposited born digital 27 p. GA 1.13:GAO-02-838 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838 P0b002ee18039d43c f:d02838 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838 GAO-02-838 Air pollution control Biological warfare Chemical and biological agents Counterterrorism Mail delivery problems Postal facilities Postal service Safety Strategic planning Terrorism National preparedness Other Written Product A04500 Following the anthrax attacks of October 2001, the Unites States Postal Service (USPS) has started to look at various technologies that could be implemented in the event of another bioterror attack. The high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration system is being used as a prototype at two facilities and is planned for implementation throughout the country. HEPA filtering technology is the state-of-the-art technology for the removal of particulate biohazards and other particles of micron-sized range. USPS has not adequately tested the HEPA filtration system to confirm that it will meet its intended purpose of trapping anthrax spores and its secondary purpose of cleaning the mail processing equipment. USPS's testing has not shown conclusively (1) the HEPA filtration system's ability to trap released hazards and other contaminants, and (2) what level of hazards or contaminants could be released into the mail processing environment as a result of the air filtration system's design. Furthermore, USPS has not verified through testing that the air filtration system will not interfere with the air sampling and detection equipment. Even though HEPA filtration systems could reduce the risk of exposure to biohazards, they may negate the benefits of other technologies being considered by USPS to protect its employees and customers in the event of another anthrax attack. Finally, the design and installation of the HEPA filtration system requires custom modification to USPS equipment nationwide and will likely cost more than USPS projected in its Emergency Preparedness Plan. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838.pdf GAO-02-838 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-838 Other Written Product GAO-02-838; Diffuse Security Threats: USPS Air Filtration Systems Need More Testing and Cost Benefit Analysis before Implementation; Air pollution control Biological warfare Chemical and biological agents Counterterrorism Mail delivery problems Postal facilities Postal service Safety Strategic planning Terrorism National preparedness Public Law 107-117