An object is sterilized with ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation having a wavelength from about 235 nm to about 295 nm. An advantageous wavelength for the UV-C radiation is about 253.7 nm. The object is inserted into a container, which is then sealed. At least a portion of the container is substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest. The container and object are placed into a UV-C irradiation device and are irradiated for an exposure time with UV-C radiation having a predetermined intensity. The exposure time is determined such that a predetermined portion of user-specified pathogens disposed on the object is inactivated. Technical sterilization (99.9999% inactivation) can be attained with relatively short exposure times. The container can be a flexible pouch or a rigid kit. Suitable materials that are substantially transparent to UV-C radiation over the wavelengths of interest include quartz, borosilicate glass, cyclic olefin copolymer, and fluoropolymer.
