Forget Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, anthrax and other chemical and biological hazards to health in the United States.

The biggest threat to America’s health is economic—paralysis of Internet communications because of unsolicited e-mail, spam.

Despite success of no-call efforts banning unsolicited telephone calls from telemarketers, America’s lawmakers and Internet service providers haven’t made a dent in blocking unwanted e-mail.

Spammers continue to bypass ISP and PC filtering software with false return addresses and subject lines.

Typical ISP responses, such as requiring commercial e-mail to begin with “ADV,” are limp and don’t stop the flow.

Complicating the problem is the crazy quilt of 27 different state rules regarding spam.

Most spam is interstate. Congress needs to mandate stiff civil and criminal penalties for clogging the in-boxes of Connected America. (11 MAY 2003) .