What is the difference between sterilized and sanitized?
Sterilized means that there are ZERO living organisms in your sample, whether it is a culture or surgical instrument. Anything greater than zero is not sterile. Sanitation means to reduce microbial load to an acceptable level such as plates and silverware.
Sterilization and sanitization are two different processes used to clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment.
Sterilization is a process that completely eliminates or destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This is achieved through the use of physical or chemical agents, such as heat, high pressure, radiation, or chemical disinfectants. Sterilization is typically used in medical and laboratory settings, where the risk of infection or contamination is high.
Sanitization, on the other hand, is a process that reduces the number of microbial organisms on a surface or equipment to a safe level. It is usually achieved using chemical disinfectants or antimicrobial agents. Sanitization is commonly used in public areas, such as restaurants, food processing plants, and household settings.
In summary, sterilization is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, while sanitization is a process that reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level.
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