[Texaggie79]

I wonder, if you were to lace a letter with airborne type anthrax spores, how long do they last? Perhaps they would be most deadly at first, which would be at the post office, then slowly deteriorate being significantly harmless after several days in the mail.

Any doctors, or biologists out there know?

[softengine]

Sadly, I don't believe there are any 'doctors' posting here. Hell, I don't even think there are any 'doctors' who know of this site's existence. Most in the medical profession have have bought into the notions of leftist nincompoopery....typical of the overeducated (yet remarkably stupid) set. So, they likely would have little interest here, and, IMHO, will prove to be of little help in the big scheme of these things.

[Procyon]

Yes, the anthrax spores lose their potency.. in FORTY YEARS!

[DonnerT]

I'm not a doctor or biologist but I can ansewer that question for you. The spores are the dormant form. They last until forever and never lose potency.

[Don Joe]

"I wonder, if you were to lace a letter with airborne type anthrax spores, how long do they last? Perhaps they would be most deadly at first, which would be at the post office, then slowly deteriorate being significantly harmless after several days in the mail."

They will become harmless in approximately 18,250 to 36,500 days.

Seriously.

[sistergoldenhair]

Not a biologist nor a doctor but I have worked with spore forming bacteria. Don't panic. However, the bacterial spores might be described as dormant or in hibernation. Anthrax spores can live for 20 years (or more) in soil. If the spores are "happy" they remain dormant waiting for an appropriate host to activate. In other words, they don't degrade unless subjected to hostile conditions. Sorry.