steam sterilization

[michimichi]

does the steam coming out from an autoclave during decontamination can harm a person once hes exposed (let say smelled or inhaled)to the steam?

[canalon]

Yes. But only because it is mighty hot and can cause burn to your face and your sensitive nasal and buccal epithelia. Or if someone has autoclaved things like HCl in large quantity (do not ask) and you are unaware of that detail when you open the autoclave. But there are no bacteria in it.