The most thing we should worry about when entering the lab, and what was drilled into our minds throught all our science classes and our courses laboratory introductory session, was our safety. With regards to germs, microbes, bacteria, viruses etc, and their stunning ability to evolve into a stronger species rather rapidly considering the time-span through which scientists have been practicing science, smart people have managed to use solar energy in such a way that reduces our anxiety around those organisms much more than 70% ethanol and heat.
At least in the dental industry, the tools used by dentists have been protected - to an extent - in a method, I personally view as brilliant. "First uses of new solar energy technology: Killing germs on medical, dental instruments" was the title of the article that stole my attention for a good five minutes. Check it out!
Source: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2013/september/first-uses-of-new-solar-energy-technology-killing-germs-on-medical-dental-instruments.html
