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CNN Live Today

U.S. Testing Russian-Made Substance to Kill Anthrax

Aired August 27, 2002 - 13:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. is testing a Russian-made substance that appears to kill anthrax more effectively and safely than any other alternative. The solution made from plain tap water is designed to kill anthrax without any side effects.
CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty visited the lab where it was developed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Biological warfare. The Russian's army special troops preparing for attack from an enemy-using weapons of mass destruction, including anthrax, the bacteria mailed in letters to various locations in the United States that killed five people.

Now scientists in Russia are testing new ways of destroying anthrax spores. And the solution, they say, is water. Here, in his laboratory in Moscow, professor Vitold Bakhir shows us electrodes that he says can turn regular tap water into a potent anthrax killer.

VITOLD BAKHIR, RUSSIAN SCIENTIST (through translator): The basic principal is to stream water through a miniature, electrochemical reactor, then it's subjected to a very high level of electricity.

DOUGHERTY: By adding a minute amount of salt to water, then running the liquid through the device, the solution becomes highly active, so active the hydrogen and oxygen actually crackle.

(on camera): The scientists here also have made an aerosol from that solution. You should your hands then steam for literally 5 to 10 seconds, and they're completely disinfected.

(voice-over): In contrast to deconaminants currently used to kill anthrax, scientists say it is not toxic or irritating.

This is just one of many inventions coming from the 50-year-old Russian Research Institute for Medical Engineering.

A portable device for making the mixture, which can also be used of decontaminate chemical agents, is now being tested by me Mattel Memorial Institute in the United States for possible use by the U.S. military.

But scientists here in Russia who are great at inventing aren't necessarily good businessmen. Much of what they produce, from surgical instruments to water purifiers is still made by hand. The institute's director says he is trying to adapt the legacy of Soviet-era science to the modern world.

BAKHIR (through translator): This transformation we've been going through for the past 10 years is making us think seriously about not only how to create technology, but to sell it, and we still haven't learned that lesson.

DOUGHERTY: In a world of biological and chemical threats, he says, Russian scientists can make a major contribution and maybe a ruble or two.

Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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