What process uses steam under pressure to eliminate microorganisms in infectious waste?

Steam sterilization is the process that uses steam under high pressure to effectively eliminate microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, from infectious waste. This method is highly effective due to the combination of heat and moisture, which penetrates materials and ensures thorough sterilization. The high temperature reached during this process is essential for disrupting the cellular structure of pathogens, leading to their destruction.

In addition to its effectiveness, steam sterilization is also a standard practice in healthcare settings for sterilizing medical instruments, ensuring that items that come into contact with patients are free from any infectious agents. This method is preferred over others because it is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and does not leave harmful residues.

The other processes listed—chemical disinfection, thermal inactivation, and irradiation—have different applications and mechanisms. Chemical disinfection involves using chemical agents to reduce the number of pathogens but may not achieve the same level of sterility as steam sterilization. Thermal inactivation refers generally to the use of heat for microbial inactivation but does not specify the conditions of steam and pressure, which are critical in steam sterilization. Irradiation utilizes radiation to kill microorganisms, which works in different contexts and is not typically associated with waste management in the same way as steam sterilization.