Will microwaving mail kill anthrax??

me ^ | me

[al_possum39]

I just wondered if you could kill anthrax by putting your mail in a microwave oven and, if it will work, how long should you run it? Does anybody know?

[MrFred]

interesting thought, hopefully some science types among us will chime in. I might be a little worried about metal in the mail (staples, paperclips, etc).

[Lizzy W]

Probably not. The way you turn a bacterium into a spore is by stressing the hell out of it (i.e., UV light, heat, acid, etc). Each species has its own susceptibilities and causalities for spore forming.

However, I haven't checked to see if antrhax is one that spore forms when microwaved. I'll look into it.

[Pinetop]

It would work on bacteria, but what people are being exposed to are spores which are smaller and have less moisture than bacteria. The way microwaves destroy bacteria is by heating the moisture in the bacteria and causing it to explode. Because spores are much drier and smaller, a microwave will not work.

[dep]

hahahahaha!!! that's it!! it's a fiendish plan to get americans so upset that they burn their own houses down! hahahahaha!

dep

[Scythian]

Are you stupid, walking around with an envelop in your house with Antrax is a sure way to die:

1) Check your mail outside
2) If you have handled something suspicious have a neighbor call 911

DO NOT YOURSELF GO INSIDE AND HANDLE YOUR PHONE AS GETTING ANTHRAX ON YOUR PHONE IS, WELL, DUMB.

[Senator Pardek]

Didn't work on my ex-wife's cooking, but it really took care of the botulism.

[NovemberCharlie]

It should work. As for how long, I don't know, but if the envelope is steaming, that's probably enough. By the way, this is not in any way an informed medical opinion.

[OWK]

Microwave ovens are used to lyse bacterial cells very effectively. They can be lysed in very short order.

But cell lysis can only be reliably counted upon, if the cells are viable and aqueous.

Bacterial spores (such as those of Anthrax) are completely dehydrated (they contain no water). Since microwave ovens heat by exciting water molecules with RF energy, I don't think they would be very effective against spores.

[bcoffey]

I'm afraid microwaving will have little effect (I'm an electromagnetics consultant). From what I hear, intense UV is the best bet.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Don't forget to first wrap it in tin foil.

[lodwick]

Hell, why not? I'm boiling mine, soon to be moving the to the grill.LOL. Good job, possum, nice work, JL

[OWK]

We agree

[TomServo]

LOL!!! hope she doesn't cruise FR. If she does, don't forget to fluff the couch a little...;-)

[jws3sticks]

I have been successful running all my mail in the Kitchen Aid dishwasher with double soap and 'Sani-Wash'. No kidding. So far no Anthrax and less junk mail.

[1rudeboy]

I didn't want to post a separate thread, but will sticking my head in the microwave kill my hangover?

[CarolAnn]

I heard that sunlight kills anthrax quickly. I can see it now - people all over the US spreading their mail out on the lawn!

[good_ash]

I've found a good way to deal with mail:

1.Separate bills and junk mail from checks.
2. Hold checks up to light, make sure they have a matching return address and post office stamp.
3. Burn all other letters in a mini webber grill by the front door.

[Skibane]

Putting just one envelope in the microwave is essentially the same as putting nothing in the microwave. Microwave ovens don't like to be operated with nothing in them!

Better put a glass of water in there, too.

[wcbtinman]

How about if we mist a little water on the envelope prior to nuking it?

[BunnySlippers]

I don't know for sure. But I heard that it lasts for decades but is degraded by heat ... perhaps. I will watch this thread with interest.

[Deep_6]

I have my sister-in-law open all my mail.

 

[Deanna Knapp]

I suggest you take all bills and microwave them till they burst into flames, that should kill everything except your interest rate which is indestructable.

[Leroy S. Mort]

From what I hear, intense UV is the best bet.

So I should put my mail in my tanning bed? At what setting?

[OWK]

How about if we mist a little water on the envelope prior to nuking it?

If you rehydrated the spores contained therein, it would work.

(but then again, with that much water you'd be ruining the mail at the same time)

[LJLucido]

Well, if someone mailed you microwave popcorn, you will have saved a step later on.

[dubyagee]

Once again, you've impressed me with your knowledge. So do you have any idea what is causing some of these tests to come back negative, that are actually positive? A snippet from another thread said something about an "incubation period" causing a negative result. I've heard it's really easy to spot the bacteria, so I wouldn't think it's just lab screw-ups.

[socal_parrot]

I've been putting mine in a blender for about 30 seconds on "Frapee". I think it's working, but my margaritas now taste funny. Suggestions?

[cmsgop]

Your FR# 53,078

In Rap Terms....Dr Dre

[Don Myers]

I doubt that it would work, but what the hey?

Now we are talking about microwaving our mail. Somewhere, someone is having one heck of a laugh at our expense.

[Fiddlstix]

<.....but will sticking my head in the microwave kill my hangover?

That should be very effective....
In fact, You'll probably never have a hangover again...

[ChemistCat]

Simpler solution. Use a hot iron and press your mail if you're worried about it. DNA denatures rapidly at such temperatures, sporulated or not, and quick cooling guarantees it won't reanneal in a dangerous form.

Stop just short of scorching, of course. Press both sides.

We had 40 mph winds today, gusty and irregular. I sure as heck wouldn't want to open mail in those conditions.

Like Rush said, though, your odds of getting an anthrax letter are right up there with winning the lottery. It's my opinion that not seeing powder isn't a guarantee that it's not there. And mail from a friendly and known source could have been intercepted, especially if you're at some special risk.

[OWK]

I heard that sunlight kills anthrax quickly. I can see it now - people all over the US spreading their mail out on the lawn!

Sunlight will not quickly destroy anthrax spores.

[Rev. Lou Chenary]

I just throw everything without a return adress in the dumpster in the yard...No anthrax and no more bill collectors!!! life is good!

[cmsgop]

Always remember to line your glass with Anthax first or it will not work........

[Cachelot]

I can see it now - people all over the US spreading their mail out on the lawn!

I'll go spread all my suspicious email spam on the lawn immediately.

[MHGinTN]

If you use a two-cup microwaveable contianer with one cup of water, the MV oven set for six or eight minutes, leave the stuff in there alone for fifteen minutes after the MV stops, you might very well kill the spore ... for sure you'll kill the live bacteria and may even erase the ink on some offensive bills!

[Peacerose]

I bet the mail would catch fire and that might kill the anthrax.

Once someone told me that microwaving the coffee filters would make them seperate easily. Like a dummy, I tried it, and scorched my coffee filters! Fortunately, the house did not burn down.

[PhiKapMom]

This is one person who has been laughing her head off reading this thread! The comments are hilarious!

[dubyagee]

If heat is supposed to kill these things, what's with that island that is still so infected after years and years of being contaminated. Are they just buried so deep in the soil the sun has no effect on them?

[Uncle George]

Tell the Terrorists microwave ovens are great for killing HEAD LICE-----POOFFFFFFFFFFF

[Deep_6]

My cousin once microwaved an Express mail letter and went back in time.

[FourPeas]

ROFL!

[Don Myers]

"This is one person who has been laughing her head off reading this thread! The comments are hilarious!"

A good sense of humor is a "must" requirement. There are still a few funny things left in life.

[BansheeBill]

Freeper investment tip: Find out what publicly owned companies make "glove boxes" for handling hazardous materials that have air purification/filtering capabilities. Buy some of their stock.
I'm thinking they may have a BIG seller on their hands and a lot of businesses and government entities are going to come calling.

[tiki]

I was thinking of irradiation. Of course none of us has an irradiation machine at home but maybe the POs could rent one and run all the mail through them if this turns into an epidemic of anthrax mailings.