A chemical process used to kill any germs in the water.

Disinfection of potable water to kill or inactivate pathogens is commonly done by public water systems with chlorine chemicals and ozone (O) gas. These include chlorine gas (most common), chloramines, and chlorine dioxide gas. Residual chlorine is added to prevent pathogen recontamination, (usually 0.1 to 0.4 mg/L chlorine or chloramines is needed in potable water that is delivered through the distribution system to homes). The use of these chemicals at home is not recommended or allowed. However, safe disinfection systems are available for home use.

Implies the use of antimicrobial agents on inanimate objects (e.g., work surfaces, equipment, etc.) to destroy all organisms that could pose a potential hazard to humans or compromise the integrity of the experiment.

the destruction of disease-causing organisms through the application of specific agents (i.e., disinfectants) such as chlorine

Stage in embalming where morticians treat the body for bacteria and diseases.

Process by which surface bioburden is reduced to a safe level or eliminated. Some disinfection agents are effective only against vegetative microbes, while others possess additional capability to effectively kill bacterial and fungal spores.

Treatment of objects or surfaces to remove or inactivate organisms such as vegetative bacteria, viruses and fungi, but not spores. Disinfection can be achieved by heat, by immersion in boiling water or by applying certain antiseptics.

Destruction of disease-causing or other harmful microorganisms (but not endospores) on inanimate surfaces by chemical or physical means

Killing of infectious agents outside the body by direct exposure to chemical or physical agents. High-level disinfection may kill all microorganisms with the exception of high numbers of bacterial spores; it requires extended exposure to ensure killing of most bacterial spores. It is achieved, after thorough detergent cleaning, by exposure to specific concentrations of certain disinfectants (e.g., 2% glutaraldehyde, 6% stabilized hydrogen peroxide and up to 1% peracetic acid) for at least 20 minutes. Intermediate-level disinfection does not kill spores; it can be achieved by pasteurization (75 deg. C. [167 deg. F.] for 30 minutes) or by appropriate treatment with EPA-approved disinfectants.

A process in which vegetative bacteria are killed; may involve disinfecting agents such as chlorine, or physical processes such as heating. (See aerobic, anaerobic.)

The killing (as opposed to removal) of microorganisms in water or other media where they might otherwise pose a health threat. For example, chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water supplies.

A chemical or physical process that kills organisms which cause infectious disease. Chlorine is often used to disinfect treated sewage.

The destruction or inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms. See sterilization.

The process in which most microorganisms are killed, especially pathogenic microbes. See chlorination.

The chemical or physical process that involves the destruction of pathogenic organisms. All disinfectants are effective against vegetative forms of organisms, but not necessarily spores.

The decontamination of fluids and surfaces. To disinfect a fluid or surface a variety of techniques are used, such as ozone disinfection. Often disinfection means eliminating the present microorganisms with a biocide.

This is the process of killing or removing as many of the micro-organisms as rapidly as possible in order to minimise the risk of infection.

to destroy or prevent the growth of micro organisms

the destruction of pathogenic and other kinds of microorganisms by physical or chemical means. Disinfection is less lethal than sterilization, because it destroys most recognized pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily all microbial forms, such as bacterial spores. Disinfection does not ensure the margin of safety associated with sterilization processes.

The process by which pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms are killed.

the process of killing pathogenic agents by chemical or physical means.

The process of destroying pathogenic and other microorganisms in wastewater, typically through application of chlorine compounds, ultraviolet light, iodine, ozone, and the like.

the final step at a water treatment plant; disinfection kills any organism that may be harmful.

The act of reducing the number of pathogenic organisms from objects or in materials so that they pose no threat of disease.

Effective killing by chemical or physical process of all organisms capable of causing infectious disease.

a chemical or physical process utilized to eliminate pathogenic organisms from a potable water source, equipment or storage facility.

Water treatment which destroys potentially harmful bacteria.

to free water of harmful bacteria.

Final step in the tertiary wastewater treatment process, when chlorine or sodium hypochlorite is added to the treated wastewater to kill disease-causing organisms. Ultraviolet light is another means of disinfection.

The process of destroying pathogenic organisms in water and wastewater.

Destroy or render harmless pathogenic (disease-causing) microbes in or on an inert substance.

Physical or chemical treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms. The disinfecting properties of sunlight are due to ultraviolet light.

the process of killing disease-causing microorganisms.

process whereby microorganisms are killed, but not their spores; re-growth of organisms from the spores is possible.

the killing of the larger portion of the harmful and objectionable bacteria in the sewage. Usually accomplished by introduction of chlorine, but more and more facilities are using exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which renders the bacteria sterile.

The process of destroying pathogenicand other microorganisms in wastewater, typicallythrough application of chlorine compounds, ultra-violet light, iodine, ozone, and the like.

A process that kills most microorganisms bur rarely kills all spores. The three levels of disinfection are low, intermediate and high. Disinfectants are substances used to disinfect inanimate objects.

A procedure used to control micro-organisms on non-living surfaces such as: instruments, implements or environmental surfaces.

Inactivation (killing) of pathogens or organisms, capable of causing infectious disease, by chemical or physical processes.

The reduction (by chemicals or physical methods) of the number of microorganisms in the environment, to a level safe for food preparation and consumption.

Any process that destroys or removes disease-causing organisms such as viruses, bacteria or protozoa. It is used as part of the purifying of drinking water.

The specific killing of infectious agents outside the body by direct exposure to chemicals or physical agents.

Is a process which is intended to kill or remove pathogenic micro-organisms, including Legionella; and in the case of a cooling tower system, consists of dosing the water of the system with - a chlorine-based compound, equivalent to at least 10 mg/L of free chlorine for at least one hour, while maintaining the pH of the water between 7.0 and 7.6; or a bromine-based compound, equivalent to at least 20 mg/L of free bromine for at least one hour, while maintaining the pH of the water between 7.0 and 8.5

The process of killing or rendering harmless pathogenic organisms in a water supply by means of heat, chemicals or UV light, etc.

A process by which harmful bacteria are killed off

Destroying harmful microorganisms, thereby freeing from infection.

A process whereby most microorganisms in or on a substance are killed; there is a high probability that pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria are killed in the process but depending on the process, destruction of viruses is not as certain.

99% destruction of all disease-causing bacteria (pathogens) on the object being disinfected

the part of water treatment that kills germs in the water.

a process that reduces or completely eliminates all pathogenic microorganisms except spores. See also high-level disinfection.

Destruction of harmful microorganisms, usually by the use of bactericidal chemical compounds.

The process of eliminating all micro-organisms except bacterial spores.

The process designed to kill most microorganisms in water, including essentially all pathogenic (disease- causing) bacteria. There are several ways to disinfect, with chlorine being most frequently used in water treatment.

The treatment of water to inactivate, destroy and/or remove bacteria and other microorganisms from it. Chlorine, ultraviolet light and ozone are often used for this purpose.

A process in which pathogenic, disease producing bacteria are killed. May involve disinfecting agents such as chlorine or physical process such as heating.

A part of the overall cleaning process aimed at reducing the level of harmful micro-organisms to a level that will not lead to either harmful contamination or spoilage of food.

The removal or destruction of infectious or pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, virus or protozoa).

Any process that destroys or removes disease-causing organisms such as viruses, bacteria or protozoa from wastewater. Examples include ultraviolet irradiation or chlorination.

The treatment of water to inactivate, destroy, and/or remove pathogenic (disease-producing) bacteria, viruses, cysts, and other microorganisms (but not completely eliminating all microorganisms) for the purpose of making the water microbiologically safe for human consumption.

A cleaning process to destroy most, but not all, microorganisms. Often confused with sterilization.