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. 2021 Jun 28;13(13):2115. doi: 10.3390/polym13132115

Table 1.

Comparison between currently used sterilization techniques [5,6,8].

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