Don't accept anthrax tainted garments

Not long after the devastating Sept. 11 attacks, Americans were bombarded with another kind of terror — the deadly bacteria known as anthrax. By Nov. 14, there were 17 known cases of anthrax, four of which were fatal. Another five people were also suspected of being infected.

Naturally, there has been a growing concern in the country about safety procedures, and, recently, the International Fabricare Institute experienced an influx of inquiries from its members regarding how to handle garments contaminated with anthrax.

IFI used the most current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advise cleaners on the matter, especially those who may receive questions from firemen, police and other emergency response personnel about handling clothing exposed to anthrax.

The CDC has already tried to make it abundantly clear that anyone who receives an envelope containing powder that spills out should refrain from trying to clean it up. Instead, the spill should be covered immediately with anything Whatever is used to cover the spill should not be removed for any reason.

If clothing becomes contaminated, it should be removed as soon as possible and placed in an airtight plastic bag or some other container that can be properly sealed. The clothing bag should be given to emergency responders.

While it is possible to decontaminate clothing through the use of various methods, including steam sterilization and laundering in hot water or chlorine bleach, it is important to note that opening an airtight container of contaminated clothing increases the risk of exposure.

Though the chance of being asked to clean contaminated clothing is highly unlikely, IFI advises all cleaners not to accept infected garments under any circumstances. In all likelihood, such garments would need to be sealed and given to the appropriate authorities who would incinerate the garments or retain them as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Cleaners should also note that anthrax cannot be spread from person to person. Only clothing that comes into direct contact with anthrax organisms would be classified as contaminated. Anthrax organisms have the ability to infect human skin, the gastrointestinal system or the lungs, but in order to do so, they must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist.

For more information on IFI’s policy on anthrax-contaminated garments, contact Jay Calleja at (800) 638-2627, ext. 122.

For the latest public health information on anthrax, visit www.bt.cdc.gov.


	Don’t accept anthrax tainted garments Not long after the devastating Sept. 11 attacks, Americans were bombarded with another kind of terror — the deadly bacteria known as anthrax. By Nov. 14, there were 17 known cases of anthrax, four of which were fatal. Another five people were also suspected of being infected. Naturally, there has been a growing concern in the country about safety procedures, and, recently, the International Fabricare Institute experienced an influx of inquiries from its members regarding how to handle garments contaminated with anthrax. IFI used the most current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advise cleaners on the matter, especially those who may receive questions from firemen, police and other emergency response personnel about handling clothing exposed to anthrax. The CDC has already tried to make it abundantly clear that anyone who receives an envelope containing powder that spills out should refrain from trying to clean it up. Instead, the spill should be covered immediately with anything Whatever is used to cover the spill should not be removed for any reason. If clothing becomes contaminated, it should be removed as soon as possible and placed in an airtight plastic bag or some other container that can be properly sealed. The clothing bag should be given to emergency responders. While it is possible to decontaminate clothing through the use of various methods, including steam sterilization and laundering in hot water or chlorine bleach, it is important to note that opening an airtight container of contaminated clothing increases the risk of exposure. Though the chance of being asked to clean contaminated clothing is highly unlikely, IFI advises all cleaners not to accept infected garments under any circumstances. In all likelihood, such garments would need to be sealed and given to the appropriate authorities who would incinerate the garments or retain them as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Cleaners should also note that anthrax cannot be spread from person to person. Only clothing that comes into direct contact with anthrax organisms would be classified as contaminated. Anthrax organisms have the ability to infect human skin, the gastrointestinal system or the lungs, but in order to do so, they must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. For more information on IFI’s policy on anthrax-contaminated garments, contact Jay Calleja at (800) 638-2627, ext. 122. For the latest public health information on anthrax, visit www.bt.cdc.gov.