TOUR ORDER Info Index ©2001UnimaxNYC

 


The following references indicate that:
dry heat sterilization is an effective sterilization process but 
it is NOT the most appropriate form of sterilization to choose for tattoo or piercing. 

Sterilization technology teaches that the choice of method is not arbitrary 
but chosen according to the standard of the most appropriate. Different sterilization methods are specifically chosen for the job and are not arbitrarily interchangeable.

References:

1) American Society for Healthcare Central Service Professionals of the
American Hospital Association, Manual, ASHCSP, Leaders in the Central
Service, Sterile Processing Profession

"Types of sterilization processes used in health care facilities are steam
sterilization, EtO sterilization, dry-heat sterilization, gas plasma sterilization,
and chemical sterilization." p. 161

"Dry-heat or "hot-air" sterilizers are used only for specialized purposes in
modern health care facilities." p 185

"In moist heat (steam) sterilization and EtO sterilization bacteria die from
the coagulation or denaturation of the protein constituents. Dry-heat
sterilization actually "burns up" microbial cells." p 186

"The only items for which dry heat sterilization is appropriate are those that
cannot be sterilized by steam or EtO because they cannot be penetrated, or
will be damaged by moisture or because the item must be pyrogen free." p 186

2) Sterilization Technology, Ed. RF Morrissey, GB Phillips
"Dry heat is a far less efficient sterilization process than moist heat, but is
nevertheless a useful procedure for sterilizing certain products such as powders
and oils." p. 10

3) Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, Ed. CG Mayhall, 2nd Edition

"Sterilization is the complete elimination or destruction of all forms of
microbial life and is accomplished in the hospital by either physical or chemical
processes. Steam under pressure, dry heat, ethelyene oxide (ETO), gas, and
liquid chemical are the principal sterilizing agents used in the hospital." p 1161

4) Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, 4th Edition, SS Block

"Dry heat will penetrate all kinds of materials, such as oils, petrolatum, and
closed containers, that are not permeable to steam." p 495

"Sterilization by steam under pressure is nearly universally applied except where
penetration or heat and moisture damage is a problem. Steam sterilization works
better than some forms of sterilization because steam destroys most resistant
bacterial spores in a brief exposure and heats rapidly because of mass heat
transfer as it condenses." p 503

Compiled by Wes Wood