Mycological examination is necessary in order to identify mold and fungal lesions of the premises. It can be held in apartments, houses, offices and other real estate. It is used to identify the causes of detected lesions that carry dangers by microorganisms, to assess the suitability of the building for further use. It also allows you to choose the safest and most effective methods of dealing with them.
general information
What is mycological examination? Inspection of buildings and structures is carried out to identify various types of microscopic mushrooms. The need for research arises if mold spots were found on the surface of walls, windows, ceilings, wallpaper, decoration and building materials, in the passenger compartment, after leaks, fires, bays. It is important to note that if there is no specific smell, this does not mean that everything is fine. After all, many dangerous fungi simply do not have it. Here for their identification and high-quality mycological examination is necessary. Consider how it is carried out, what measures should be taken when pathogenic fungi are detected.
About species diversity
Mycological examination is not holistic. By it is meant a number of specific actions that can be carried out both together and separately:
- Identification of foci of biological destruction.
- Mycological examination of created building structures from wood, concrete, brick and so on.
- Determining the causes of mold.
- The suitability of the premises for living is assessed.
- Allergenic and pathogenic fungi are detected in the air, their concentration is determined.
- Consultations are provided on the choice of means of control, antiseptics are selected.
- Education is being conducted on the options for preventing mold.
- The effectiveness of biocidal and fungicidal preparations is evaluated.
- Confirmation of the absence of mold and wood-destroying mushrooms.
- Field consultation without sampling.
- Conducting an express analysis.
- Establishment of the reasons for the defeat of mold double-glazed windows.
Who is in danger
If the room has high humidity and damp walls, building structures or home decoration are violated, operational problems are observed, ventilation and heat supply regimes are not respected, then you need to be careful. But this is not a complete list of potentially dangerous factors and situations. It is necessary to be prepared for negative consequences if there is no waterproofing, there are roof leaks, groundwater and foundation contact, in cases when new building materials are modified after repair, plaque appears on the surface of the floor or wood.
Often the focus occurs imperceptibly under the floor and in the ceilings. It is very important to detect and neutralize it in time. External manifestations for a person are the appearance of allergic diseases of the respiratory tract and skin, laryngitis, runny nose, bronchitis, nausea, headache, joint problems of unknown origin and dizziness. All this may be a consequence of the toxic effects of growing molds.
What does mycological examination look like?
First you need to establish the fact of the presence of areas with fungal infection. Then comes the turn of the search for causes and sources of occurrence. The concentration of fungi and their spores in the room air is measured. At the same time, a check is underway whether the indicators are in line with the norm. The concentration of fungi and their spores on building materials and interior items is measured. Then establish the taxonomic affiliation. That is, they look whether the detected microorganisms can be attributed to pathogens. If so, it is determined what potential problems this strain can provide.
The depth and area of the lesion, the allergenic and toxic properties of the detected mold and fungi are studied. It is assessed whether the room is suitable for a long stay. Then recommendations and methods for combating subsequent prevention are prepared. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, residential air should contain no more than 500 spores per cubic meter. If mycological examination has established that this threshold is exceeded, all necessary measures must be taken to improve the situation.
About timely response
It is necessary not to start the identification and fight against fungi and mold. If a new building was purchased, and unwanted "neighbors" grow in it, then it is necessary to contact the builders with a request to fix the problem. If they refuse, then a mycological examination of the living quarters for the court is carried out, on the basis of which it is already possible to start this process by force. It is necessary to carefully monitor the quality of execution of decisions. If a mycological examination was conducted for the court and the case was won, then the elimination of the problem may not be carried out sufficiently. Mold and fungi are very "tenacious" microorganisms. They can penetrate to a decent depth even in concrete structures.
Prevention Measures Applied
The recommended list is placed in the conclusion of the mycological examination. Although in most cases they have many common points. For example, recommendations to provide better ventilation and take measures to reduce the humidity level in it. You can fight on your own or attract specialists from both private companies and the state sanitary and epidemiological service.
What is the conclusion?
After conducting mycological examination of buildings and structures, a detailed conclusion is drawn up. It usually takes 10-15 pages. It contains initial data, a description of the regulatory framework, what was done, what methodology was used, conclusions and a lot of other information. The conclusion is stitched, it is signed by an expert, qualification documents are attached. This is written evidence of the indoor situation (negative or positive). The conclusions of the commission can be used for further actions of residents, including appeal to the court. Also, a conclusion may be required when selling a building or part of it, compiling a technical passport, and contacting medical specialists.
Why is it important
When mold develops, this leads to an increase in the concentration of harmful spores in the air. In this case, the mycological situation is classified as unfavorable, posing a threat to human health. Often at the time of the inspection the premises are unsuitable for both repair work and for people to stay.
Sometimes, to solve problems, it is simply enough to regularly air the premises. But very often it is necessary to eliminate technical shortcomings and carry out full-fledged anti-mold processing. It is necessary to strive to completely solve the existing problem. Otherwise, after a certain time, you will have to face it again. To do this, you need to know well where the root of the problem is. Mycological examination may take a week, and its cost is several tens of thousands of rubles.
The danger of microorganisms
Microscopic formations that are caused by mold fungi have a great variety. They can be both useful and harmful. Some are used for the preparation of medicines and food. Others destroy building and finishing materials, harm human health. The main representatives of mold are fusarium, penicillas, aspergillus and acremonium. However, in everyday life, the classification of mold by color is more popular.
What is the situation in this case? The most dangerous and harmful to humans is black mold. These mushrooms can develop in shoe litter, soil, moisture-prone walls, closets, ceilings, sewers, and water pipes. It’s hard to fight it. At the same time, it spreads rapidly and contributes to the emergence of a wide variety of diseases in humans.
The mold that manifests itself in food is yeast. It occurs on spoiled or expired dairy and bakery products. Most often, it is brought into the house, but it can develop on its own.
Gray mold is less dangerous than black mold. But it can quickly spread, spoil decoration and building materials, whitewashing and wallpaper. Most often, it can be seen on wooden structures and on concrete.
Sometimes rotting foods are found in the refrigerator. Damage occurs due to white mold. Some of its strains are used in order to produce food, but this is not related to rotting products.
There is also the so-called noble mold. It has a green or black color. Noble mold is used to make cheeses. Some of its species can take part in fermentation processes. But mycological examination does not reveal it, but pathogenic microorganisms that have settled in the house and pose a threat to its residents.