Table 1.
Method | Technique | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Heat | Dry heat/steam | Nontoxic residues, low cost, simple, fast, effective, good penetration | Not suitable for heat-and/or moisture-sensitive materials like biodegradable polymers |
Chemical | Ethylene oxide | Low-temperature setting for heat-and/or moisture-sensitive materials, effective, good penetration | Potential hazards to staff and patients Toxic, flammable, and carcinogenic Long treatment/aeration time needed |
Peracetic acid | Low temperature, no activation required, odour or irritation not significant | Materials compatibility concerns, limited clinical use (only for immersible instruments/materials), no long-term sterile storage possible | |
Irradiation | Gamma irradiation | Nontoxic residues, low temperature, good penetration | Damaging polymers and biological materials High cost |
E-beam | Nontoxic residues, low temperature, short treatment time | Damaging polymers and biological materials, limited penetration distance | |
Plasma | H2O2 gas plasma | Nontoxic residues, low temperature setting suitable for heat-and/or moisture-sensitive materials | Not suitable for cellulose (paper), linens and liquids, and devices with hollows May cause changes in chemical and mechanical properties of polymers, produce reactive residuals |