For water purification at higher altitudes, how long should you boil?

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Multiple Choice

For water purification at higher altitudes, how long should you boil?

At higher elevations, water boils at a lower temperature, so you need more time of heat exposure to inactivate microorganisms. Maintaining a rolling boil for about three minutes ensures sufficient disinfection despite the lower boiling point. Shorter times, like one minute, may not kill all pathogens, while much longer times, like ten minutes, go beyond what's typically required. Three minutes is the standard, practical duration for high-altitude water purification.

At higher elevations, water boils at a lower temperature, so you need more time of heat exposure to inactivate microorganisms. Maintaining a rolling boil for about three minutes ensures sufficient disinfection despite the lower boiling point. Shorter times, like one minute, may not kill all pathogens, while much longer times, like ten minutes, go beyond what's typically required. Three minutes is the standard, practical duration for high-altitude water purification.

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