Heat and chemical sterilization methods are used to sterilize medical equipment. A hot air oven uses dry heat at 170°C for 2 hours or 180°C for 1 hour to sterilize equipment. Ethylene oxide gas is also used but requires 2-24 hours and specialized equipment, making it more expensive. Chemicals like glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde act as high level disinfectants and sterilize at certain concentrations and contact times, while hypochlorite solutions and hydrogen peroxide destroy pathogens.