A Bunsen burner is a metal apparatus that creates a flame used to sterilize pieces of laboratory equipment. A rubber tube carries gas fuel to the burner. Due to the safety risks associated with an open flame, many microbiology labs are phasing out Bunsen burners in favor of infrared microincinerators.

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In order to maintain a healthy environment, we needed to develop ways to control microbial growth and reduce the microbial count to safe levels for public health. "Safe levels" depends on the type of environment you are in. A medical setting will require much lower microbial counts than inside our homes, and therefore require higher levels of decontamination

Controlling Microbial Growth

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

There anre many ways to control microbial growth. The methods that are considered safe for skin include:
- antiseptics
- degerming


Types of Microbial Control for Living Tissue

Fomites are inanimate surfaces that can harbor microbes. To control microbial growth on fomites, we can use the following
- -cidal agents
- sterilization
- disinfection
- sanitization
- -static agents

Types of Microbial Control for Fomites.

Methods for controlling microbial growth include
- temperature control
- moisture control
- pH control
- chemical control


Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth

static treatments do not actually kill infectious agents, they are often less toxic to humans and other animals, and may also better preserve the integrity of the item treated. Such treatments are typically sufficient to keep the microbial population of an item in check.

-Static

-cide (or -cidal). The prefix indicates the type of microbe or infectious agent killed by the treatment method: bactericides kill bacteria, viricides kill or inactivate viruses, and fungicides kill fungi. 

-Cidal

Bunsen Burner

An infrared microincinerator is a tool used in microbiology laboratories to sterilize pieces of equipment. It serves a similar purpose to a Bunsen burner but operates without an open flame, thereby eliminating associated safety risks.

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