Sterile- Completely free of all microbes; an absolute term.

Disinfection - Is a process that eliminates most or all pathogens on or in a material.

Disinfectant - A chemical used to destroy many microorganisms and viruses.

Biocide - disinfectants are biocides, means "life" "to kill".

Germicide - KIlls microorganisms and viruses.

Antiseptic - A disinfectant that is non-toxic enough to be used on skin.

Degerming - Treatment used to decrease the number of microbes in an area, usually skin.

Pasteurization - A treatment, usually brief heating, used to reduce the number of spoilage organisms and to kill disease-causing microbes.

Decontamination - A treatment to reduce the number of pathogens to a level considered safe to handle. Washing, or use of heat or disinfectants.

Sanitize - Meets health standards of reduced microbes, and appears clean. Does not denote any specific level of control.

Preservation - Delaying spoilage of foods or other perishable products. This is done by adding growth-inhibiting ingredients or adjusting storage conditions to impede growth of microorganisms.

Daily life controls might not be sufficient for other situations.

Daily life - washing hadns with plain soap and water.

Hospitals - Instruments in the operating rooms must be sterile.

Microbiology lab - all instuments must be rendered sterile, proper disposal to avoid contamination of workers and the environment. Asceptic technique.

Food and food production facilities - heat treatment, irradiation, chemicals.

Water treatment facilities - Drinking water is free of gastrointestinal pathogens including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.

-Unlike sterilization which is an absolute term, disinfection suggests that some viable microbes may persist.

-Antiseptic - are used to decrease the number of bacteria on skin to prepare for invasive procedures such as surgery.

-These infectious protein particles are not destroyed by standard sterilization procedures.