Final answer:
The water temperature required to disinfect dishes and utensils is at least 74°C or 165°F. The closest and safest option from the given choices would be boiling water at 212°F (100°C), which exceeds the minimum required temperature for killing bacteria. The correct option is (D)
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct water temperature required to disinfect equipment, utensils, and dishes is not explicitly listed in the options provided. However, based on health standards, the temperature should be at least 74°C or 165°F to kill bacteria effectively. The closest option that meets or exceeds this requirement would be:
D) Boiling water at 212°F (100°C)
While option A suggests hot water at 120°F (49°C), it is not hot enough for disinfection when it comes to public health standards. Using boiling water or temperatures that are even higher, like those found in an autoclave (121°C or more), is more effective for sterilization and disinfection. For example, the high temperatures utilized in commercial dishwashers effectively sanitize dishes by killing most microbes.
Regular home dishwashers often rely on a combination of hot water and detergents. The final rinse is typically at a higher temperature, ideally over 150°F, and some dishwashers even have a 'sanitize' cycle that reaches temperatures high enough to reduce the number of bacteria to a level deemed safe by public health standards. Therefore, for manual dishwashing or when setting a dishwasher without appropriate sanitize settings, using boiling water would be the safest option among those listed to ensure proper disinfection.