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American Morning

Is There Any Way in Which Anthrax Spores Can be Sterilized or Neutralized?

Aired December 07, 2001 - 09:40   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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ANNOUNCER: John Susnic from Sullivan, Missouri asks, "Is there any way in which anthrax spores can be sterilized or neutralized, such as with heat, x-rays or perhaps in the microwave?"

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: After the first anthrax letters, many people wanted to know, if I put my mail in the microwave, would that kill anthrax? How about if I iron my letters works, that kill it? The answer is that, with some methods, like microwaving and UV light, might possibly kill some of the anthrax spores, it's not known exactly what temperatures works best or how long you have you to expose the spores to the heat. That's why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions says, leave it to the professionals, who have more reliable methods.

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