Method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging materials

(10) A method for the sterilization of packaging materials and in particular plastic preforms (10), said packaging means (10) with a transport device (2) are transported and wherein at least a portion of the packaging means (10) with a loading device (4) flowing with a medium is pressurized. According to the invention applied to the area of ​​a medium is exposed to radiation with electromagnetic radiation to generate singlet oxygen and this singlet oxygen for sterilizing of the packaging means (10).