sanitization
Making things sterile
Sanitization is the process of making something sanitary—clean, hygienic, free of contaminants.
Water treatment plants perform sanitization.
The word extends to removing sensitive or objectionable content: The document underwent sanitization before release.
Critics use it negatively to describe whitewashing uncomfortable truths: What they call editing is really sanitization of history.
Obscuring sensitive text
- bowdlerizeRemove objectionable content
- expurgateRemove offensive material
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- whitewashConceal or coat pale
censor · edit · propaganda · euphemism · cover-up · spin · scrub · cleanse
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
bleach · ethanol · isopropanol · peroxide · iodine · quaternary · virucide · fungicide
Cleaning palms with soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- antibacterialKills or inhibits germs
- toothpasteOral cleaning gel
- mouthwashLiquid for gargling clean
cleanser · hygienist · showering · grooming · cleanliness · dental · oral · bodily
Removing identifying information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- redactionObscuring sensitive text
- privacyFreedom from observation
GDPR · compliance · masking · tokenization · obfuscation · pseudonymization · PII · deletion
Removal of contaminants
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
- potableSafe for ingestion
sewage · wastewater · effluent · municipal · reservoir · contamination · waterborne · typhoid
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- sterilizeEliminate all microorganisms
- asepticFree from pathogens
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
- irradiationExposure to radiant energy
gamma · ultraviolet · filtration · incineration · plasma · sterile · surgical · medical-grade
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- washingCleaning with liquid
- wipingRubbing to clean
- moppingCleaning floors with water
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
dusting · rinsing · detergent · disinfecting · surface · spotless · degreasing · scouring
Free from impurities
- pristinePure and untouched
- untaintedFree from contamination
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
clean · unpolluted · immaculate · wholesome · unadulterated · fresh · pathogen-free · germ-free
Thermal pathogen elimination process
- irradiationExposure to radiant energy
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- handlingTreatment or management
- processingSystematic operation on data
cross-contamination · foodborne · salmonella · listeria · refrigeration · cooking · temperature · shelf-life
redaction
Obscuring sensitive text
- bowdlerizeRemove objectionable content
- expurgateRemove offensive material
- suppressForcibly put an end to
whitewash · censor · edit · propaganda · euphemism · cover-up · spin · scrub · cleanse · purge
disinfectant
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
chlorine · bleach · ethanol · isopropanol · peroxide · iodine · quaternary · virucide · fungicide · biocide
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- antibacterialKills or inhibits germs
- toothpasteOral cleaning gel
mouthwash · cleanser · hygienist · showering · grooming · cleanliness · dental · oral · bodily · toiletry
anonymization
Removing identifying information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- redactionObscuring sensitive text
privacy · GDPR · compliance · masking · tokenization · obfuscation · pseudonymization · PII · deletion · wiping
purification
Removal of contaminants
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
potable · sewage · wastewater · effluent · municipal · reservoir · contamination · waterborne · typhoid · cholera
autoclave
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- sterilizeEliminate all microorganisms
- asepticFree from pathogens
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
irradiation · gamma · ultraviolet · filtration · incineration · plasma · sterile · surgical · medical-grade · spore
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
sweeping · dusting · rinsing · detergent · disinfecting · surface · spotless · degreasing · scouring · spraying
uncontaminated
Free from impurities
pure · clean · unpolluted · immaculate · wholesome · unadulterated · fresh · pathogen-free · germ-free · medical-grade
pasteurization
Thermal pathogen elimination process
- irradiationExposure to radiant energy
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- handlingTreatment or management
processing · cross-contamination · foodborne · salmonella · listeria · refrigeration · cooking · temperature · shelf-life · packaging
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- sanitationsewage, sewers, cleaning, sewer, disinfecting
- beverage makingbrew, brewing, ferment, fermentation, distillation
- cleaning servicesjanitors, custodians, office cleaning, window washing, floor care
- cleansingablution, bathing, bath, cleansing, rinse
- preventionflu shot, prevent, flu shots, protect, vaccines
sanitizationcontamination
Introduction of impurities
pollution · infection · adulteration · fouling · defilement
sanitizationexposure
State of being unprotected
unvarnished truth · brutal honesty · graphic representation · historical accuracy · full disclosure