The temperature needed to kill TB (Tuberculosis) bacteria depends on the specific conditions and the duration of exposure.
Temperatures Inactivating TB Bacteria
Here's a breakdown of the temperatures at which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB bacteria) are inactivated, according to the provided reference:
-
42°C (107.6°F): TB bacteria stop growing at this temperature. However, they are not necessarily killed instantly.
-
80°C (176°F) and above: TB bacteria die after 10 minutes.
Other Methods of Killing TB
Besides heat, the reference mentions other methods for killing TB bacteria:
- Sunlight: TB bacteria usually die after about 1.5 hours of exposure.
- UV Exposure: TB bacteria survive only 2-3 minutes under UV exposure.
- Alcohol 90°: TB bacteria are destroyed after 3 minutes.
- 5% Phenic Acid: TB bacteria are killed (the timeframe is not specified in the provided reference).
Summary Table
| Method | Condition | Time to Inactivation/Death |
|---|---|---|
| Heat | 42°C (107.6°F) | Growth stops |
| Heat | 80°C (176°F) and above | 10 minutes |
| Sunlight | Direct Exposure | ~1.5 hours |
| UV Exposure | Direct Exposure | 2-3 minutes |
| Alcohol 90° | Immersion | 3 minutes |
| 5% Phenic Acid | Immersion | Timeframe not specified in reference |
