Two postal facilities tested for anthrax

EATONTOWN, N.J. -- The U.S. Postal Service tested two New Jersey mail processing centers for anthrax Sunday as federal authorities investigate whether spores found in a Princeton mailbox had been there since tainted letters surfaced last fall.

A contractor sampled dust from equipment in areas where mail is received and sorted at the Monmouth Processing and Distributing Center in Eatontown and the Kilmer General Mail Facility in Edison. Postal officials said last week there was some speculation that there was a residual amount of anthrax on the public drop box in Princeton.

Results of Sunday's tests were not expected until Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest, said Postal Service spokeswoman Diane Todd.

"The important thing is the tests are totally precautionary," she said. "The Postal Service is doing it for the safety and well-being of the employees."

Areas of suspected contamination would be sealed off, she said. Positive results could lead to further testing.

Mail drop boxes in New Jersey were tested based on postal coding that shows when items enter the mail system, federal authorities said.

Using the codes, the Postal Service was able to pinpoint boxes where mail originated last fall, when the Hamilton facility processed four anthrax-laced letters.

The tainted letters were sent to Sens. Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw and the New York Post. Five people died from exposure to the anthrax. No arrests have been made, despite a $2.5 million reward.