Expert Says Response to Bio Attacks Can Traumatize. A researcher who has studied a sample of emergency responses to threats of biological attack (most commonly, anonymous letters allegedly contaminated with anthrax) says the current hysteria is leading to overreaction. ‘In 27 of the 40 incidents Cole studied, people who might have been exposed to a toxin were

undressed, sometimes in public, or scrubbed with a solution containing bleach. In half of the

incidents, people were hospitalized or given antibiotics.

“Interviews with officials and victims indicated that many victims were psychologically or

physically traumatized. Some suffered allergic reactions to bleach,” Cole said.’