Microbiological Destruction of Constructional and Decoration Materials of Buildings

Abstract

Factors stimulating the development and spread of micromycetes in buildings used for different purposes were investigated.
A variety of materials are used for reconstruction and building: timber, shied-shaped assembled houses, air-entrained
concentrate, other local materials, monolithic (expanded clay concrete) houses, large-slab houses, silicate bricks, ceramic
building bricks, including special front trim (clinker, restoration, etc.). Resistance of the construction materials to biological
factors is not evaluated; the interest is raised only when some concrete damage is encountered. Dampness in buildings is a
common reason for a variety of health symptoms in the inhabitants. From inside walls of such buildings the fungi of the
Aspergillus genus, mostly A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. penicillioides less frequently of other species were isolated. They
are active producers of various metabolites, able to participate in decay processes of various materials. Conditionally
pathogenic fungi were found in all the buildings investigated. Their abundance and the variety of species depended on
the physical condition of the buildings, their age and the nature of the specific activities which were carried out in them.