Four common chemical sterilizers and their advantages and disadvantages

Ozone sterilizer, ethylene oxide sterilizer, hydrogen peroxide sterilizer and formaldehyde sterilizer, as four common chemical sterilizers, they all play an important role in the sterilization process. However, these four types of sterilizers in the sterilization principle, scope of application, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the existence of certain differences. The following will be a detailed introduction to these four types of sterilizer to help you better understand them.

1. Ozone sterilizer:

Ozone sterilizer is a device that uses ozone gas for sterilization. Ozone has strong oxidative properties and broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, which can effectively inactivate different types of microorganisms, and also has a better effect on allergens and odours. Ozone sterilizers do not require the use of chemicals in the sterilization process. However, ozone reacts with organic and inorganic substances in water to produce a series of degradation products, which have a certain impact on water quality and may cause some damage to aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Ozone is toxic and has a short residual time. Therefore, higher concentration and longer operation time may be required to achieve effective sterilization, but high concentration of ozone can be hazardous to human health. Therefore, the use of ozone sterilization may lead to an increase in the concentration of harmful gases in the air, causing certain inconvenience and risk to the working and living environment of personnel.

Harmful substances produced during ozone sterilization may leach into the soil and cause some damage to soil microorganisms and ecosystems. This may also lead to deterioration of soil quality, affecting the growth of crops and the sustainable use of land.

2. Ethylene oxide sterilizer:

Ethylene oxide sterilizer is a device that uses ethylene oxide gas for sterilization. Ethylene oxide has strong bactericidal ability and can penetrate into some small spaces and inactivate different types of microorganisms, so it is suitable for inactivating equipment and utensils that are difficult to clean. The sterilization effect of ethylene oxide sterilizer is reliable, but due to the high toxicity of ethylene oxide, there are also environmental problems in gas emission, which is harmful to human body and environment. Therefore, corresponding safety measures need to be taken when using ethylene oxide sterilizer.

3. Hydrogen peroxide sterilizer:

Hydrogen peroxide sterilizer is a device that uses hydrogen peroxide gas for sterilization. Hydrogen peroxide has broad-spectrum bactericidal properties and can effectively inactivate bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms. However, hydrogen peroxide sterilizers may be slightly less effective in inactivating some heat-resistant bacteria such as bacterial spores. Compared with other sterilizers, hydrogen peroxide sterilizer has the advantages of shorter sterilization time, no residue, no odour, etc. Hydrogen peroxide sterilizer is relatively less hazardous to the environment and has less residue. It is widely used in medical devices, biological laboratories and other fields. However, the cost of hydrogen peroxide sterilizer is high and it is not suitable for some special instruments.

4. Formaldehyde sterilizer:

Formaldehyde sterilizer is a device that uses formaldehyde gas for sterilization. Formaldehyde has a strong bactericidal ability, and a variety of microorganisms have a good inactivation effect, can effectively eliminate all kinds of common bacteria and viruses. Formaldehyde sterilizer has the advantage of stable and reliable sterilization effect, and has better applicability in some special occasions, such as hospital operating theatres, laboratories and so on. However, formaldehyde has a certain degree of toxicity, the human body and the environment has a certain degree of harm, in the use of the need to pay attention to safety.

In summary, ozone sterilizer, ethylene oxide sterilizer, hydrogen peroxide sterilizer and formaldehyde sterilizer have certain differences in sterilization principle, application scope and advantages and disadvantages. In the choice of sterilizer, according to the actual needs and specific application scenarios, comprehensive consideration of these factors, choose the most suitable sterilizer to carry out sterilization operations.