A method of decontaminating a structure contaminated by pathogenic
microorganisms such as bacillus anthracis and its spores, B. subtilis var
niger and its spores, and B. stearothermophilus and its spores. The steps
include sealing a contaminated structure sufficiently to enable retention
of a gas, introducing methyl bromide gas into sealed contaminated
structure to a concentration of methyl bromide in an amount sufficient to
deactivate said pathogenic microorganisms and to disable germination of
pathogenic bacteria spores, and maintaining said sealed contaminated
structure with said concentration of methyl bromide at a sufficient
temperature for a sufficient period of time, and deactivating said
pathogenic microorganisms and disabling germination of said pathogenic
bacteria spores associated with said contaminated structure. The method
is performed approximately in the range of 20.degree. C. to 40.degree.
C., and the concentration of methyl bromide is about 80 mg/l to 303 mg/l
during the decontamination. Humidity is not a factor in the efficacy of
this treatment process.