Method |
Pros |
Cons |
Steam sterilization |
Safe for the environment. Short exposure time. Non-toxic. Low cost. Does not require aeration. |
Sterilization quality may be compromised by air entry, high material humidity, poor steam quality. Do not sterilize heat- and moisture-intolerant items. |
High-temperature air sterilization |
Safe for the environment. Low corrosive properties. Deep penetration into the material. Does not require aeration.Low cost. |
Long exposure time. Temperature regimes and exposure vary from country to country. Damaging to thermolabile products. |
100% ethylene oxide sterilization |
Penetration into packaging materials and bags. |
Requires time for aeration. Small sterilization chamber size. Ethylene oxide is toxic, carcinogenic and flammable. Hazardous to the health of medical personnel. High equipment cost. |
Hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization |
Low temperature conditions. Does not require aeration. Safe for the environment. |
Small sterilization chamber size. Cannot sterilize paper products, linens, solutions. Cannot sterilize items with long or narrow internal pathways. Requires synthetic packaging. High cost of equipment and consumables. |
Formaldehyde solution vapor sterilization |
Fire- and explosion-safe.Low cost. |
Necessary to clean formaldehyde residues off the surface. Long exposure time (hours). Toxic. Carcinogenic and allergenic. Hazardous to the health of medical personnel. |
Ozone sterilization |
Low temperature conditions. Short exposure time. Deep penetration into the material. Sterilization of heat- and moisture-intolerant items. Sterilization of paper products and linen. Gentle effect on metal products. |
Cannot sterilize solutions. Cannot sterilize product in packaging material. |