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Disinfection and Sterilization

Decontamination: cleaning to render safe to handle, in preparation for disinfection/sterilization

Disinfection: reduces number of microbes; differs in strength

Sterilization: elimination of all pathogens, save prions

 

Disinfectants

numbers reduced due to microbial death rate

logarithmic effect, with constant proportion given conditions. at low levels, bacteria may be inhibited rather than killed

mechanism of action is by protein denaturation, membrane damage, enzyme inactivation, etc

Disinfection Methods

antiseptics: disinfectants that can be used on hands

 

high level disinfectants: kill spores, tubucle bacilli, viruses given enough time; with sufficient strength, become sterilizing agents

 

Sterilization Methods

heat (autoclave

gas, liquid

irradiation

filtration (does not stop viruses)