Methods for disinfecting or sterilizing articles

Abstract

Disclosed herein are materials and methods for reducing, preventing, or eliminating the biological contamination of surfaces in spaces that are reasonably partitioned, defined or contained. A reagent that includes peroxides or molecules that includes peroxide bonds are contacted with at least one surface of an article. Some of these methods include disinfection within an apparatus and may include the step of volatilizing the peroxide bond containing agent, through, for example, vapor pressure and vaporization or evaporation effects, the addition of volatilization aids, or passive or assisted diffusion at modest temperatures and relatively long exposure times measured in some embodiments on the order of hours, days, or months. In some embodiments a liquid that includes a peroxide moiety is added (for example, during manufacture or subsequently) to a package, container, or any other reasonably partitioned or contained volume and allowed to migrate within the confined space for a period of time sufficient to disinfect the inner surfaces of the container and articles it contains.