Lancaster
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2001
- Posts
- 220
Expert says ironing letters kills anthrax
Click to enlarge photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading bio-terror expert has said people who feel panicky about opening their mail amid the anthrax scare can use a hot steam iron and a moist layer of fabric to kill germs.
Ken Alibek, a top former Soviet germ warfare scientist who is now a U.S.-based author and researcher trying to develop defences against bioterror, on Tuesday told a surprised congressional briefing on non-proliferation that a hot, moist steam iron and moist fabric could kill anthrax spores.
Pressed by surprised lawmakers who were not sure if they had heard him right, he repeated that several times.
"Iron your letters," he said, adding that a microwave oven was not as good as an iron and that including moisture was essential because spores could survive dry heat.
Click to enlarge photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading bio-terror expert has said people who feel panicky about opening their mail amid the anthrax scare can use a hot steam iron and a moist layer of fabric to kill germs.
Ken Alibek, a top former Soviet germ warfare scientist who is now a U.S.-based author and researcher trying to develop defences against bioterror, on Tuesday told a surprised congressional briefing on non-proliferation that a hot, moist steam iron and moist fabric could kill anthrax spores.
Pressed by surprised lawmakers who were not sure if they had heard him right, he repeated that several times.
"Iron your letters," he said, adding that a microwave oven was not as good as an iron and that including moisture was essential because spores could survive dry heat.
