Final answer:
Sanitization is the process of reducing microbial populations on inanimate objects to safe levels through heat or chemicals, but does not eliminate all microbial life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reduction of the microbial population on an inanimate object to levels considered safe by public health standards is referred to as sanitization. This process typically involves the use of either heat or antimicrobial chemicals to lower the levels of microbes, but does not necessarily result in the complete elimination of all microbial life. Common protocols for sanitization include the use of commercial dishwashers in the food service industry, where high temperatures aid in killing most microbes, and the application of chemical disinfectants on surfaces within hospital environments to prevent disease transmission.