chemical sterilization

(engineering) The use of bactericidal chemicals to sterilize solutions, air, or solid surfaces.

A method of sterilization in which an object is immersed in a liquid containing sanitizing chemicals. Used for objects that cannot withstand high temperatures. Glutaraldehyde is one such sterilizer, which must be in contact with the instrument for at least 10 hours for proper sterilization. Other chemical sterilizers may require up to 24 hours of instrument contact.