Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a method of sanitization?

1. Irradiation

2. Dry heat sterilization

3. Exposure to ethylene oxide gas

4. Boiling water

The correct answer is: Boiling water

The method that does not qualify as a sanitization technique is boiling water. While boiling water is effective in killing many bacteria and viruses, it primarily serves as a disinfection method rather than true sanitization. It may not eliminate all pathogens, especially heat-resistant spores, and does not guarantee sterilization of surfaces or materials. In contrast, the other methods listed—irradiation, dry heat sterilization, and exposure to ethylene oxide gas—are recognized as effective methods for sanitizing and even sterilizing equipment and materials in laboratory settings. Irradiation uses radiation to kill microorganisms, making it a potent method for sanitization. Dry heat sterilization involves using high temperatures to destroy all forms of microbial life. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization is a chemical method that penetrates materials and can effectively kill a wide range of pathogens. This distinction between disinfection and sanitization is crucial in laboratory settings, where achieving specific levels of microbial reduction is often necessary to ensure the integrity and safety of experiments and animal care.