UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE MAKES 20 POSTAL WORKERS SICK IN ALABAMA

FOX ^ | 25 April 2006 | FOX

[Btrp113Cav]

just breaking on foxnews unknown substance spilled out of package, garlic like smell... left a stain on the floor 20 people very ill.

[jw777]

Oh, that's just the sickening smell of Liberalism ruining America.

[eyespysomething]

Here. I saw you had posted it on the Tony SNow thread.

[Red Badger]

Garlic like smell?.........Hmmmm.........lasagna?..........

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

sickening smell of Liberalism ruining America

getting stronger too

[Moonman62]

And I just got out of the shower, too.

[Capn TrVth]

Too early to speculate but the first thing I thought of was Arsine: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a970307c.html

From the page:
"The margin between the "odor threshold" and the death threshold is very thin. For example, the "IDLH" (immediate danger to life and health) level for arsine is 6 parts per million, whereas the odor threshold is less than 1 ppm--a difference of five lousy parts. So if you smell garlic in a place where arsine is being used, don't stick around looking to see if someone's having Italian for lunch." Prayers that this is non-event and that the Postal Workers are safe.

[loreldan]

It wasn't my cooking this time!

[blowfish]

A lot of insecticides have a garlic odor. Organophosphates are very bad news.

[uncitizen]

That's 20 more government employees on disability.

[AnAmericanMother]

blister agent?

( . . . or a Frenchman . . . )

[FormerACLUmember]

The ancient poison Arsenic has a classic garlic smell.

[Blzbba]

What are they - vampires?

[savedbygrace]

DMSO?

[evets]

[WideGlide]

Boss probably asked them to do something like "GET OUT OF THE POST OFFICE AND DELIVER THE FRIGGIN MAIL!!"

[Patrick1]

Isn't postal worker and oxymoron?

[mutley]

LOL

[michigander]

Possible Hazardous Material Incident at Hueytown Post Office

April 25, 2006 11:50 AM EDT

There are initial reports coming in of a suspicious package containing possible hazardous material being discovered at the Hueytown Post Office.

According to news sources some people have been transported to the hospital. Authorities including Alabama Homeland Security personnel are on the scene.

We will have more information as soon as it becomes available.

[RushCrush]

That's funny, the post office here in Chicago makes me sick.

[Capn TrVth]

Fox: "Substance not harmful"

Kimchee!!!??

[SlowBoat407]

The solid form of phosphine can become a gas when it mixes with high humidity, like you'd find in Alabama.

[Panzerlied]

Possibly Arsine gas?

[fight_truth_decay]

Nothing on the FOX link that I can find. Could you post the story or more exact link?

Thanks
F_T_D

[Capn TrVth]

I mentioned that in post 7, fox just said it: "wasn't a harmful substance."

[ansel12]

One indicator of whether it is serious is to see if the men are as affected as much as the women.

[SE Mom]

Thanks:) It needed it's own thread.

Just heard this on FOX- tell me what sounds contradictory here:
1) There is nothing harmful in the "unknown substance".

2) The "unknown substance " is corrosive enough to peel tiles off the floor in the post office.

[SlowBoat407]

fox just said it: "wasn't a harmful substance."

Bring those people back from the hospital then. They must be okay.

[b4its2late]

Some former employee went postal without going the truly classic postal?

[txrangerette]

So, people were made sick by...what? The bad smell, panic, etc??

[b4its2late]

That does not sound good.......

[SE Mom]

Does it? I thought it was characterized but the scent of almonds.

[Dont Mention the War]

What was the substance, an assigment?

[eyespysomething]

Arsine, Phosphine, Acrylonitrile, and mustard gas can have a garlicky smell.

[txrangerette]

Someone has already posted that the substance was not harmful. ???

[Joe 6-pack]

"I thought it was characterized but the scent of almonds."

You're thinking of cyanide.

[GarySpFc]

I am on the phone with my uncle who has the lots next ot the post office. He said there was some acid dropped in the PO.

[ConservativeMind]

It could be something bad but it could also be something harmless and the people are going nuts about it.

I would think it is the latter. Remember, this is the US Post Office.

[Wristpin]

Probably scent attractant used by fisherman. Garlic is one of the scents they use. The stuff is concentrated and strong enough to give you a headache if spilled in a confined area.

[Slings and Arrows]

UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE MAKES 20 POSTAL WORKERS SICK

Must be their performance evaluations.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Dear Government,

Since you don't care about us and are unwilling to control illegal immigration, lower our taxes and encourage people to work instead of giving them welfare, I don't care.

[fight_truth_decay]

..fox just said it: "wasn't a harmful substance."

Guess, why it is a No Show on the FOXNews web page. Another MSM panic news play followed by a non-story.

[sissyjane]

Ain't that the truth. My husband uses it to make some bait cr*p for kokannee fishing. It's been banned to the garage, and I'm not KIDDING! GAG!!

[fight_truth_decay]

At least you have a possible link to go by.

[Steve_Seattle]

Per FOX News:

UNKNOWN HARMLESS SUBSTANCE MAKES 20 POSTAL WORKERS SICK

[ConservativeMind]

I think that only smells like garlic after the body has absorbed it and you breathe it back out.

[SittinYonder]

That's 20 more government employees on disability.

You should hope nothing serious happens to these people. And if it does, then I hope you regret this classless statement.

[SlowBoat407]

Anyone know what code yellow means?

Is that anything like a flank two?