Final answer:
The destruction of pathogens by physical or chemical means is termed disinfection, which inactivates most microbes on the surface of a fomite but does not necessarily result in sterility. Sterilization, however, achieves complete removal of all microbes, and sanitization reduces microbial load to safe public health levels. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The destruction of pathogens by physical or chemical means is known as disinfection. This process involves the use of antimicrobial chemicals or heat to inactivate most microbes on the surface of a fomite.
Disinfection does not necessarily lead to the complete removal of all microbes, as it may not eliminate robust organisms such as endospores, and thus the disinfected item is not considered sterile. On the other hand, sterilization refers to the complete eradication of all vegetative cells, endospores, and viruses from an item or environment.
This can be achieved through physical methods such as heat or pressure, or by using chemical sterilants. Sanitization, meanwhile, aims to reduce the microbial load to safe levels for public health. It is worth noting that these terms are distinct; while sanitization and disinfection reduce microbial load, sterilization eliminates it.