System and method for large scale detection of hazardous materials in the mail or in other objects

A method for detection of hazardous materials in a mail piece during mail handling or processing, said method comprising the steps of:

• transporting the mail piece on a transport system;
• depositing at least one sensitizing agent on a surface of the mail piece while the mail piece is being transported;
• transporting said mail piece for a predetermined travel time, said predetermined travel time being equal to or greater than an activation latency time for said at leas one deposited sensitizing agent on the mail piece, in order to allow activation prior to reaching sensing means for said at least one sensitizing agent;
• sensing, while the mail piece is being transported, said at least one sensitizing agent after being deposited on the mail piece to determine whether hazardous material is located on the surface of the mail piece;
• analyzing results of the sensing to determine whether the mail piece possibly contains hazardous materials, wherein a change in a property of the sensitizing agent is indicative of the presence of the hazardous materials;
• and
• identifying the mail piece as potentially hazardous, if said analysis indicates that the mail piece possibly contains hazardous materials.