Which method involves using chemical agents to kill pathogens in infectious waste?

The method that involves using chemical agents to kill pathogens in infectious waste is chemical disinfection. Chemical disinfection utilizes various chemical substances specifically designed to eradicate harmful microorganisms present in medical waste. This method is particularly valuable when physical methods, such as heat or radiation, might be impractical or ineffective for certain types of materials.

Chemical disinfectants work by disrupting the cell structure of pathogens or interfering with their metabolic pathways, leading to cell death. This technique is widely employed in settings where infectious waste must be effectively treated to ensure safety before disposal or further handling.

Interestingly, while steam sterilization and thermal inactivation also aim to eliminate pathogens, they primarily rely on heat rather than chemical agents. Irradiation employs high-energy particles or waves to disinfect, but again, it does not involve chemical agents. Therefore, the focus on chemical agents makes chemical disinfection the correct and most relevant method for the context of the question.