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Despite differences between the various types of biological agents, these agents, bacteria, viruses, and toxins share some common characteristics. The primary route of infection or “portal of entry” is by inhalation (pulmonary). Since BWs are nonvolatile (do not evaporate), they must be dispersed in aerosols as 1 to 5 micron size particles (1/30,000 of the diameter of a hair follicle) which may remain suspended in the air for hours (depending on weather conditions). If inhaled, the particles will deposit deep into the terminal air sacs of the lungs, causing disease.
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