Final answer:
Chemical disinfectants can inhibit sterilant penetration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sterilant penetration can be inhibited by using chemical disinfectants. Chemical disinfectants are effective at killing vegetative cells, fungi, viruses, and endospores, and can ultimately lead to sterilization. Other methods such as high temperature, low pressure, and ultraviolet light can also inhibit sterilant penetration, but chemical disinfectants are specifically designed for this purpose.