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Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 09:40:32

Title: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 09:40:32

What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?

Apart from ionizing radiation which kills everything and apart from microwave radiation in an intensity that melts everything.

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: evan_au on 28/02/2019 10:02:03

There is no single answer - different types of bacteria have different thresholds for a lethal dose of radiation.

Complex multicellular organisms like ourselves have some cells that are more susceptible to radiation than other types (blood-producing cells in bone marrow, immune cells and stomach lining are more susceptible to radiation). We are only as strong as our weakest link.
- On the other hand, even if 1 in a million bacteria survive, it can rapidly regrow to a large colony all by itself.

Some bacteria have remarkable DNA repair mechanisms; some have even been discovered growing in the cooling water of a nuclear reactor.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans#Ionizing-radiation_resistance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotrophic_fungus#Discovery

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

can light kill bacteria and how much of it?

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: chiralSPO on 28/02/2019 21:45:21

Quote from: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

can light kill bacteria

yes

Quote from: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

how much of it?

four or five

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: alancalverd on 01/03/2019 09:14:07

Ultraviolet is a standard bactericide. Any supplier of commercial UVC equipment will be pleased to give you performance data and supply the relevant personal protective equipment, UV dosemeters, etc.

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: scientizscht on 01/03/2019 16:39:45

Quote from: chiralSPO on 28/02/2019 21:45:21

Quote from: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

can light kill bacteria

yes

Quote from: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

how much of it?

four or five

That's not scientific and rude.
Are you sure normal light kills bacteria? Obviously not at doses that burn skin?

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: Bored chemist on 01/03/2019 17:39:41

Quote from: scientizscht on 01/03/2019 16:39:45

That's not scientific and rude.

There is a saying in English; "If you ask a silly question, you will get a silly answer."

Title: Re: What radiation kills bacteria and at what amount?
Post by: Kryptid on 31/08/2019 00:20:57

Quote from: scientizscht on 28/02/2019 16:40:37

can light kill bacteria and how much of it?

I'm not sure of the dosage, but blue light can kill acne bacteria: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/phototherapy-for-acne#1

Quote from: AustinnEp on 31/08/2019 00:10:57

basically what demon said...

or name a fake person in some hard to get to location...

or just say **** it and let the children die, the world doesnt need more children.

Please try to keep your responses on topic. Thank you.