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Decontamination and Disinfection

Decontamination of work surfaces is essential to prevent researcher exposure and contamination of experiments. All material taken out of a biological lab should be surface decontaminated before leaving the lab. Decontamination reduces the microbial contamination of materials or surfaces and is accomplished through the use of a chemical disinfectant.

Disinfection refers to the elimination of virtually all pathogenic organisms on inanimate objects and surfaces thereby reducing the level of microbial contamination to an acceptably safe level. Disinfection is accomplished through the use of chemical disinfectants.

In contrast, sterilization refers to the destruction of all microbial life.  This is typically accomplished with heat and steam through autoclaving.

Decontamination of work surfaces is essential to prevent researcher exposure and contamination of experiments. All material taken out of a biological lab should be surface decontaminated before leaving the lab. Decontamination reduces the microbial contamination of materials or surfaces and is accomplished through the use of a chemical disinfectant.

Disinfection refers to the elimination of virtually all pathogenic organisms on inanimate objects and surfaces thereby reducing the level of microbial contamination to an acceptably safe level. Disinfection is accomplished through the use of chemical disinfectants.

In contrast, sterilization refers to the destruction of all microbial life.  This is typically accomplished with heat and steam through autoclaving.