Which process uses steam sterilization to render waste harmless?

The process that uses steam sterilization to render waste harmless is autoclaving. Autoclaving involves using high-pressure steam to achieve temperatures that sterilize healthcare waste, effectively killing a wide range of pathogens. The high temperature and pressure work together to ensure that even the most resistant microorganisms are eliminated, making autoclaving a reliable method for decontaminating materials that may pose health risks, such as surgical instruments or biohazardous waste.

This method is particularly effective for waste that can withstand heat and moisture. Autoclaves are often equipped with monitoring systems to ensure that the correct parameters are met during the sterilization cycle, which provides another layer of assurance regarding the effectiveness of the process.

In contrast, incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures to reduce it to ash and may not involve the use of steam. Microwaving, while it can also be used for sterilization, typically requires the addition of water to create steam and may not achieve the same levels of sterility as autoclaving does. Chemical disinfection uses chemicals to kill pathogens on surfaces, but it does not involve the high temperatures and pressures associated with steam sterilization. Thus, autoclaving is the most appropriate process for rendering healthcare waste harmless through steam sterilization