Sterilization Methods Summary


We have reached the end of the Sterilization Methods Series where we explored the different ways to kill or remove deadly bacteria, viruses, and harmful pathogens.

How do you select the appropriate sterilization method when there are so many choices available? Your decision will depend on many different parameters, including:


  • The purpose of sterilization. Sterilization in the lab is different than in hospitals, which is also different than pharmaceutical sterilization.  Each industry and application have their own unique requirements.
  • The material that needs to be sterilized. Is the material heat sensitive? Is it sensitive to moisture, gas or radiation?
  • The nature of the microorganisms that need to be destroyed or removed.
  • Additional considerations are: time, safety and budget.


The sterilization methods series can help you make an informed decision. It includes 12 blog posts and covers 9 different sterilization methods that can be divided into two major categories: heat and non-heat sterilization methods.

Sterilization methods that use heat can be further sub-categorized into:

Flaming
Incineration
Dry heat
Autoclave Steam Sterilization (our personal favorite)
 Non-heat sterilization methods are further divided into four categories of low temperature methods that use gas:

Ethylene Oxide (Eto)
Formaldehyde
Ozone
Plasma
The last category is physical sterilization methods:

Filtration
Radiation

This table summarizes each method:


Sterilization MethodAdvantagesDisadvantagesCommon Uses
Steam
Cost effective Short cycle times
High temperature
High moisture levels
Dental, Medical, Sterile Processing, Laboratory, Pharmaceutical, small clinics and more
Flaming
Fast Cost Effective
Applied on the instrument directly
Applicable on metallic devices only
Small metal or glass objects in microbiology labs
IncinerationLoad volume decreases by 90%Total destruction of load
High construction and installation costs
Waste processing
Dry HeatRelatively low cost
Ideal for moisture sensitive Items
Long cycle durationSmall clinics, metals, ceramics
FormaldehydeAfter sterilization, most loads are available for immediate useLong cycle durationEndoscopes
EtO
High efficiency Large sterilizing volume
MutagenicCarcinogenic Excessively Long cycle
PVC, Rubber, Endoscopes
FiltrationUsed for sterilizing gases and liquidsDoes not differentiate between viable and non viable particlesHeat sensitive injections, solutions and air (venting systems)
RadiationHigh penetration powerExpensive
Can produce undesirable changes in irradiated products
Industrial sterilization of heat sensitive products Biomedical devices
OzoneUses medical grade oxygenLong cycle timeMedical
PlasmaDoes not leave chemical residuesCannot sterilize: liquids, powders, and strong absorbersEndoscopes
Soft contact lenses
Surgical
Dental

This infographic provides a visual overview of each method






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