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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI)



Some moons ago, I was a student of Dr. Metcalf. And I did learn about WAPI (Water Pasteurization Indicator). Dr. Metcalf, one of the original founders of Solar Cookers International (SCI). Solar Cookers International (SCI) is nonprofit, non-governmental organization that spreads solar cooking awareness and skills worldwide. Dr Metcalf did work on solar water pasteurization and solar cookers in developing countries. He did demonstrated that contaminated water need only be heated to 65° C to make it safe to drink, whereas it is commonly thought that water has to be boiled for up to 20 minutes to render it safe. So heating the water with a WAPI to 65° C (149° F) will pasteurize the water and kill disease causing microbes. The WAPI (Water Pasteurization Indicator) is a reusable, affordable thermometer using a wax which melts at 68˚C. 65˚C or 149˚F is the pasteurization temperature for water or milk, at which point all disease-causing organisms (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) are killed. Solar Pasteurization kills Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, cholera, typhoid, Shigella bacteria, rotavirus, and Hepatitis A virus. His PowerPoint presentation was impressive and interesting. Thanks to Petri film, he developed a portable microbiology lab and all the component fits in one medium plastic bag!!


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