Sterilization method

1. A method of sterilizing a material, said method comprising the steps of:

a) introducing a solution comprising peroxyacetic acid into a hot gaseous stream to produce a peroxyacetic acid vapor; and

b) contacting such peroxyacetic acid vapor with the material to be sterilized without the deposition of condensate droplets onto the surface of such material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein such material is selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, polymers and elastomers.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the peroxyacetic acid is diluted to a concentration of less than 10,000 ppm prior to being introduced into the hot gaseous stream.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the peroxyacetic acid is diluted to a concentration of less than 4,000 ppm prior to being introduced into the hot gaseous stream.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hot gaseous stream is sterile air.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the hot gaseous stream is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and noble gases.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the hot gaseous stream is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. prior to the introduction of the peroxyacetic acid.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the hot gaseous stream is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. and is then cooled to a temperature of between about 80° C. and about 120° C. prior to the introduction of the peroxyacetic acid.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the hot gaseous stream is at least about 5° C. higher than the dew point of peroxyacetic acid.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact between the peroxyacetic acid vapor and the material to be sterilized is maintained for a period of between about 15 and about 40 minutes.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material to be sterilized is at risk for contamination with a sporulating microorganism.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sporulating microorganism comprises Clostridium spp.