In the wake of the September 11 terror attacks, US citizens were intentionally exposed to anthrax.

Men and women from Florida, Virginia, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut contracted cutaneous and inhalational anthrax.

There were 7 confirmed and 4 “probable” cases of cutaneous anthrax; all survived. 11 people contracted inhalational anthrax. Of those 11 people, 5 died.

Congress and major media outlets were virtually shut down after being targeted with anthrax.

The anthrax outbreaks and subsequent scares and hoaxes caused panic.

Thousands of congressional staffers, mail handlers and media personnel needed protection using antibiotics and vaccination.

Delivering weaponized anthrax was as simple as putting it in an envelope and dropping it in a mailbox.

The letter sent to Senator Leahy contained enough spores to kill many people.

Spores leaked out of envelopes and led to anthrax disease or death in 22 people.

If there is a risk for inhalational anthrax associated with exposure to cross-contaminated mail, it is very low.