anthrax

**ono** · 08-06-2012, 03:01 AM

So I hear this Anthrax is not so good for you, I was wondering, any chance you could find some if you buy a vintage horse brush?

**mblakele** · 08-06-2012, 07:33 AM

Interesting question. It is theoretically possible: endospores can survive quite a while and remain viable. I would expect the number of viable spores to decline over time, but I am unaware of any studies on the risk.

But why do you ask? Is there a particular brush you have your eye on? If so, are you sure it is horse-hair and comes from the right period to be a risk?

I think the problem is unlikely to arise in real life. At least, I have never seen a vintage horse brush for myself, at least not from the right era to be an anthrax risk. When the anthrax shave brush scare happened, about 100 years ago, doctors and public officials recommended boiling all new brushes. That took care of the problem - and the brushes too. So we do not see many of them. Most of the extant vintage brushes are boar, badger, nylon, or mixed hair, and mostly post-WWII. Perhaps that is a good thing, because there are still few ways to deal with the problem. Besides boiling, high-pressure steam will kill anthrax spores. Either procedure is likely destroy the brush too.

If you feel you are at risk, though, I suppose you could get the vaccine. Or take this with you when you go antique-hunting:

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login...mber%3D1297184

We have demonstrated quantification of aerosolized bacterial spores with a response time of 10 minutes, a sensitivity of 50 spores per liter of air, and a dynamic range of 4 orders of magnitude using a bioaerosol sampler, thermal spore lysis, and a lifetime-gated fluorimeter.

**Intrigued** · 08-06-2012, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by ono

So I hear this Anthrax is not so good for you, I was wondering, any chance you could find some if you buy a vintage horse brush?

No, it's not and no you won't.

First off I seriously doubt that you can find a truly vintage horse hair brush because of concerns about anthrax years ago. It is why almost every vintage brush is made out of badger or boar. That is also why you see the words "Sterilized" on a lot vintage brushes.

But if it truly worries you I suggest that you not buy any, especially vintage butterscotch......

**beginish** · 08-06-2012, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by intrigued

no, it's not and no you won't.

First off i seriously doubt that you can find a truly vintage horse hair brush because of concerns about anthrax years ago. It is why almost every vintage brush is made out of badger or boar. That is also why you see the words "sterilized" on a lot vintage brushes.

But if it truly worries you i suggest that you forward any leads on such brushes to me asap, especially vintage butterscotch......

ftfy

**ono** · 08-06-2012, 08:31 AM

Oh, no reason really, it was purely hypothetical, I am a natural born paranoid, since it would be quite a risk if a vintage horse brush did turn up and spread the nasty spore.. I have not seen one in ebay myself either, but seeing how it would be quite difficult to buy an "infected" one.. i'll keep my eyes peeled for those butterscotches : )

**Intrigued** · 08-06-2012, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by beginish

ftfy

Thanks! That's much better!

**beginish** · 08-06-2012, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Intrigued

Thanks! That's much better!

Anytime!

**malocchio** · 08-06-2012, 10:51 AM

even if the knot held ancient spores,a 20 minute soak in properly diluted mar-v-cide would kill every spore,but your chances of getting anthrax is greater with government induced propaganda hysteria than with a vintage horse hair shaving brush.....