Post office fumigated to kill anthrax spores

HAMILTON, N.J. (AP) — A postal distribution center where four anthrax-laced letters passed through two years ago was fumigated with chlorine dioxide gas as crews wound up the decontamination process this weekend.

The gas was pumped into the sealed Hamilton center beginning Friday morning, and the last of the poisonous gas was expected to be pumped out and neutralized by early Sunday.

Officials said it will take lengthy testing to determine if all anthrax spores have been killed. After that, it will take six to eight months more to refurbish the center, said Thomas Day, vice president of engineering for the Postal Service.

Still, the fumigation is an important milestone, said Bill Lewis, president of the Trenton chapter of the American Postal Workers union, which represents 700 employees who worked at the site.