1.2 Radiation Sterilization Heot is just one form of energy that can sterilize or reduce microbial load. effectively reduce microbial growth if applied in the proper dose and time. However, eoch type of energy has a different mode of octlon. For example, the antimicrobial effects of microwaves are due, at east in part, to thermal effects, uv radiation between 220 and 300 nm in wavelength has sufficient energy to couse modifications or actual breaks in DNA, sometimes leading to disruption of DNA and death of the exposed organism. This "near-visible" UV light is useful for disinfecting surfaces, air, and materials such as waterthat do not absorb the UV waves. For example, laboratory biological containment cobinets are equipped with a "germicidal UV light to decontaminate the surface after use. Uv radiation, however, cannot penetrate solid, opoque, or light-obsorbing surfaces, limiting its use to disinfection of exposed surfaces.