It is the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) that we have to thank for intercepting these potentially deadly devices. Without them, the news would be much different, potentially covering 14 recent pipe bomb deaths.
How does mask fit testing play a part?
The USPIS plays a vital role in the safety of mail being delivered to Presidents, to your neighbors, to yourself. Hazardous materials are, unfortunately, regularly sent via mail, with an example being the Anthrax attacks in 2001. OHD is proudly partnered with the USPIS with the use of the Quantifit mask fit tester in all 50 states to keep their employees safe from said hazardous materials.
OHD recently got the chance to speak with Bob D., Program Manager for the USPIS - Dangerous Mail Investigations Unit. He had this to say about the partnership:
"The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has over 400 specially trained Dangerous Mail Investigations (DMI) Postal Inspectors who respond to suspicious substances and/or items which can be associated with the U.S. Mail. On a given year inspectors may respond to over 2,000 of these types of events. Following stringent DMI screening protocols, these substances are often classified as non-hazardous. These same screening protocols required the inspectors to wear protective respirators, either half masks or full face respirators."