Question

Disinfection, sterilization, sanitization and antisepsis are used by many. Please explain why we need to control the microbial population in our environment in the first place.

Answer 1

Solution:-

Control of microorganisms is essential in order to prevent the transmission of disease and infection, stop decomposition and spoilage and prevent unwanted microbial contamination. Microorganisms are controlled by means of physical and chemical agents. Physical agents include such as high or low temperature, desiccation , osmotic pressure, radiation and filteration. Control by chemical agents include the use of disinfectants, antiseptics, antibiotics and chemotherapeutic antimicrobial chemicals.

Sterilization is the process of destroying all living organisms and viruses. Disinfection is the elimination of microorganisms but not necessarily endospores from inanimate objects or surface. Decontamination is a treatment of an object or inanimate surface to make it safe to handle. Disinfectant is an agent used to disinfect inanimate objects but generally to toxic to use on human tissues. The antiseptic is an agent that kills or inhibits growth of microbes but it is safe on human tissues. A senitizer is an agent that reduces microbial number to safe level. An antibiotic is a metabolic product produced by one microorganisms to inhibit or kill other microorganisms.

These all help to control the microorganisms so that no disease can harm the human population. By their inhibiting and killing properties they stop the diseases and help in controlling the spread of microorganisms.