TITUSVILLE, Fla. – A post office in Titusville will remain closed after mercury was found in a package.
The U.S. Postal Service branch on South Washington Avenue was evacuated Tuesday because of the discovery, according to the Titusville Fire Department.
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Officials say it’s going to take time to decontaminate the facility and determine where the mercury came from.
The U.S. Postal Service released a statement that reads in part:
“The Postal Service is committed to the safety and security of its employees, its customers, and its transportation networks and will remain vigilant in safeguarding the mail stream against any article that might pose a hazard to health, safety, property, or the environment. Out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily suspending operations at the Titusville facility. Customers may conduct retail transactions, including purchasing stamps and mailing packages, at the Cocoa, FL facility, located at 2000 State Road 524 , Cocoa, FL 32926.”
U.S. Postal Service
The postal service hopes to have the Titusville facility reopened in the coming days.
Mercury is a chemical that produces toxic vapors when spilled and inhaled. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service says a mercury spill could injure postal workers. It can also destroy other pieces of mail.
The postal service says items containing mercury like thermometers, barometers and blood pressure gauges should never be mailed.
Knowingly mailing an item with mercury in it can lead to a fine of at least $250 but not more than $100,000 per violation, along with any costs associated with cleanup or damage. The person could also face criminal penalties.
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