What method utilizes heat to deactivate pathogens present in infectious waste?

The method that utilizes heat to deactivate pathogens in infectious waste is Thermal Inactivation. This process involves subjecting waste materials to elevated temperatures, effectively killing or rendering inactive various pathogens, including bacteria and viruses that may be present.

Thermal Inactivation can encompass a range of techniques, including incineration and certain forms of steam sterilization, which focus on applying heat to achieve disinfection. The underlying principle is that the application of heat denatures proteins and cellular structures in microorganisms, leading to their destruction.

While steam sterilization is also a method that uses heat, it's typically more specific as it involves the use of pressurized steam and does not broadly encapsulate all heat-based methods applicable to infectious waste. Chemical disinfection and irradiation involve different mechanisms and do not primarily rely on heat to deactivate pathogens. Instead, chemical disinfection uses agents like bleach or alcohol to eliminate microorganisms, and irradiation employs high-energy radiation to disrupt the DNA of pathogens.