30 mail facilities in N.E. to be tested

E-beam machines bought for sanitizing mail

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Thirty mail facilities will be tested for anthrax in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, the U.S. Postal Service said Monday.

The environmental testing may be extended to approximately 200 other facilities.

Testing has begun in some areas, and the Postal Service has asked the Army Corps of Engineers to assist.

The Postal Service also said it has contracted with Titan Corp. for $40 million to provide electron beam units that will be used to sanitize mail.

Postmaster General John Potter said postal facilities in the Washington metro area would be the first to receive the machines when delivery begins in early November.

The contract is for the purchase of eight systems and includes an option for 12 more.

The electron beam units will be similar to those used by medical supply companies to kill bacteria before items are packed and shipped.