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Mail service suspended in 4 Mass. towns after suspicious substance found

ATHOL, Mass. — Police in several Central Massachusetts communities are investigating several suspicious mail that was delivered with a sticky brown substance in them.

After the letters were delivered to locations in Athol, Royalston, Petersham and Phillipston, the US Postal Service has decided to hold mail delivery in all four towns.

An initial test shows that the substance appears to be glycerine, a sugar and alcohol based substance used in many common products.

The Athol Police Department said it is generally non-toxic and is often used in low-fat foods as a sugar substitute, drugs and cosmetics.

“For exposure to glycerine to affect our health, an individual would have to be exposed to a significant amount through the skin, air, or in consumed food or drink,” the police department said.

The USPS said they will resume mail delivery in the area after further testing of the substance.

If you have questions concerning the above please contact the Athol Police Department dispatch center at (978) 249-3232.