Explain the Chemical Methods for Control of Microorganisms?
Different chemicals can be used which can act as disinfectant, antiseptics or even chemical sterilants. These are:
Ethylene Oxide - For plastic dishes and pipettes
Alcohols, e.g., Ethanol and Isopropanol - For disinfecting thermometer and small instruments
Halogens, e.g., Iodine and chlorine - For preoperative skin degerming, as disinfectant in hospitals, in dairy and food industry
Heavy metals, e.g., Silver, Copper - in lakes, swimming pools, in burns etc
Phenols - Used in hospital nurseries
β-Propiolactone - For living tissues
With a knowledge of physical and chemical methods for control of microorganisms, we end our discussion about instruments/methods used for sterilization.