Why do I have to use Biological Indicators (spore strips) instead of relying on the chemical indicators on my bags and tape?
• The color change of chemical indicators provide evidence that the pack was exposed to heat but there is no indication that the time and temperature required to kill bacterial spores was achieved inside the pack. The only true test to verify that your machine reached sterilizing conditions is to kill bacterial spores, the most resistant life forms known. The assumption is made that by killing spores the less resistant organisms including viruses and vegetative bacterial cells will also be killed. The spores used in the test samples are not pathogenic and do not cause disease in animals including humans.
