Acetone was substance found in leaky package

A leaking package that resulted in medical treatment for Minden Post Office employees on Saturday contained acetone.

“On Saturday, while employees were sorting parcels at our Minden Post Office, one of the parcel’s contents broke open, spilling a liquid and giving off fumes," U.S. Postal Service spokesman Rod Spurgeon said on Monday. “Postal inspectors investigated the leak and determined it to be acetone, a substance used in cleaners, paint remover, varnish remover, etc.”

Spurgeon confirmed that workers were evaluated as a precaution and were back to work on Monday and the post office had reopened.

Acetone is a hazardous material as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property during transportation.

There could be implications for the sender of the package.

“The improper mailing of certain items can result in civil penalties and fines, or worse, criminal charges,” Spurgeon said. “We encourage all USPS customers who have any questions about the mailability of their items or proper packaging procedures to go to their local post office and ask for guidance from our retail associates.”

Here are a few tips to make sure packages arrive safely and on time:

• Select a sturdy box that is strong enough to protect the contents. If you are reusing a box, totally remove or obliterate all previous labels and markings with heavy black marker. The Post Office provides free Priority Mailboxes in a variety of sizes.

• If you mail heavy items, make sure to use a sturdy box with heavy packing tape and no content shifting.

• Place cushioning all around your item until you cannot hear the item move inside when you shake it. Use newspaper to stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.

• Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box. Keep new batteries in the original packaging

• Use the proper address. Don’t guess. To find the correct spelling of a city name and state abbreviation or to find a ZIP Code visit www.usps.com.

• Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex: 123 S Main St. Apt. 2B)

• Include both “to” and “from” information on packages – and only on one side.

• Place a card inside the package that contains the delivery and return  address. This ensures the package can be delivered or returned should the mailing label become damaged or fall off.

• Mark your packages "Fragile" if they can break. Mark food items as "Perishable."

Previous Story

A package leaking an unknown substance made a few Minden Post Office workers sick, requiring transport for treatment on Saturday morning.

The call came in at around 9 a.m., resulting in a response from East Fork firefighters and Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies.

Workers who weren’t sick waited outside for the all-clear.

A postal inspector wearing a gas mask and protective clothing was sorting through material at behind the Post Office.

East Fork firefighters were on scene and expected to remain there until around 11:30 a.m.