Hi Lilianna,

I had asked Dr. F a similar question awhile back. He explained how temperature and time work together to kill NTM and it was very helpful.

Here is the link on NTMir and content posted below:
https://connect.ntminfo.org/discussion/best-shower-head-for-preventing-bacteria#bm9ea1e9e0-3c6a-4376-aaee-0190da969c13
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Question 1. If raising the temperature on water heaters to between 130-140 results in a massive reduction of NTM in the water supply, would that mean that any liquid (coffee, tea) that maintains that temperature for a certain amount of time would also be NTM-free or largely NTM-free?

Answer 1. Exposure of NTM strains to 130 F (55 C) kills slowly, but because a water heater holds water at that temperature for a long time, there is evidently sufficient dose (i.e., dose = temperature and duration of exposure) to reduce the number of NTM. That means that water heated to 130 F for a short period of time will not kill off NTM; boiling for 10 min will kill 100 % of NTM.As well, 130 F prevents the growth of NTM. That means that the water heater is not increasing the number of NTM.

Question 2. Does soaking shower head in full concentrate Chlorox bleach simply remove a high concentration from the shower head itself-meaning it would likely reduce exposure to NTM that comes through the shower head -or- would it still be likely that you'd be exposed unless you have a filter on the shower head?

Answer 2. I have recommended tat individuals at risk or having NTM, unscrew their shower head monthly and first, clean off the surfaces using a narrow, slender brush and DAWN detergent (squirted in) and leave the detergent in there for 10 min. Then take the showerhead and submerge it in a bucket of Clorox right out of the bottle (6-8 5 chlorine). Leave the showerhead submerged for 30 min and then (wearing gloves) remove and rinse. Then screw it back on. That action keeps the population of NTM low on the surface of the showerhead (a preferred habitat for the NTM), so they don't get entrained with the rapid water flow when showering.

Question 3. I have an electric kettle that boils for less than 10-minutes (auto shut off after it comes to a rolling boil) temperature is 200+ and slowly cools. I'm assuming that is sufficient for sterilization?

Answer 3. I suspect that is sufficient to kill most if not all NTM.

Question 4. On the topic of water sterilization, I'm trying to understand if boiling for 10+ minutes is actually necessary or if a certain temperature for a certain amount of time has a similar effect.

Answer 4. You are on the right track as you have read in my answer to Question 1. At a temperature below boiling (212 F, 100 C), it will take longer to kill any microorganism. NTM are not particularly more resistant to high temperature. At 60 C (140 F), it takes about 3 hr to kill 99.9 % of an NTM population and at 70 C (150 F), it takes just 1 hour. Killing is dependent on the temperature and duration of exposure (higher means shorter).

Joe