Biodeterioration in historic buildings. Indoor environmental conditions and risk of fungal growth

Abstract

Conservation of historic and cultural heritage poses great challenges, as the causes threatening the integrity of structures are becoming more frequent, including inadequate maintenance, the occurrence of exceptional events (such as floods and fires), as well as the exposure to increasing levels of air pollution. Furthermore, even during normal operation and in controlled indoor environments, the conditions can become favourable for the colonisation and development of harmful agents. The fungal contamination and growth on indoor building materials can alter the surfaces and deteriorate the building elements. In the present work, a preliminary investigation is conducted aimed at analysing the critical conditions for the proliferation and growth of different fungal genera or species, on commonly encountered materials in historic buildings. The study is carried out considering the climatic conditions of two locations, typical of northern and southern Europe, respectively. Possible solutions are suggested to limit the proliferation of microbiological contamination and growth and to prevent degradation phenomena of cultural heritage.