How can prions be killed?

1 Answer
Judy O.
Jul 17, 2015

Prions are not alive, so they can not be killed but they can be deactivated.

Explanation:

Prions are highly resistant to disinfectants, heat, ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation and formalin.

Prions can be destroyed through incineration providing the incinerator can maintain a temperature of 900 F for four hours. In an autoclave, prions can be deactivated by using a temperature of 270 F at 21 psi for 90 minutes.
If the infectious material is in a solution of sodium hydroxide, deactivation will occur after one hour at 250 F and 21 psi.

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