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When they say boil water for 5 minutes to make it safe (in situations where sanitizing water is necessary), is that technically overkill?

Science & Mathematics by Anonymous 2018-06-08 00:03:25

Social Science

When they say boil water for 5 minutes to make it safe (in situations where sanitizing water is necessary), is that technically overkill?

8 answers

If chicken and fish is safe at 164F, why wouldn't water be safe? At the least, wouldn't it be safe as soon as it starts to simmer?

  • Anonymous

    Not all fecal bacteria can be killed at lower temps or with limited boiling time.

  • Anonymous

    No. Amoebic cysts are more resistant to heat than bacteria and, believe me, you do not want to have amoebic dysentery or have your brain affected. I had brain-eating amoebas once but they starved to death.

  • Anonymous

    maybe Some bacteria can survive 73 degrees Celsius for a while. That's why pasteurised milk goes bad. On high altitudes, water will boil at lower temperatures than 100 Celsius

  • Anonymous

    The bacteria that live in fish and chicken is not the same as that found in contaminated water.

  • Anonymous

    Salmonella in chicken is killed at 164F. The wider variety of organisms in water are not killed until higher temperatures.

  • Anonymous

    Chicken and fish is not water. There could be stuff in that water that isn't killed even at 180 F.

  • Anonymous

    One other reason is the lack of an even temperature in the water when it appears to be boiling. There can be portions that are not fully up to the 212 degree temperature.

  • Anonymous

    Are you willing to take that chance?

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