This new title provides a basic understanding of the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterlization methods used for infection prevention and contamination control. It considers the current understanding of mechanisms of biocidal action on microorganisms and describes the less-studied mechanisms of resistance in viruses, prions, fungi, and other eukaryotes. presents a comprehensive review of the various chemical and physical antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods offers background information on microbiology, including a discussion of the spectrum of action, determination of efficacy, and common variables that affect the performance of antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization methods covers the mechanisms of action of biocides in four general groups: oxidizing agents, cross-linking agents, action by transfer of energy, and other structure-disrupting agents explores the demonstrated natural and acquired mechanisms microorganisms employ to resist the biocidal effects of chemical and physical processes.