Various microorganisms surround a person almost everywhere. Bacteria on earth are everywhere. Some of these may be considered safe or even useful. But many microorganisms can cause serious harm to humans: cause diseases, spoil products, building designs, inhibit the development of cultivated plants, etc.
What are biocides?
To combat harmful microorganisms, scientists have developed many tools based on a variety of active substances. Such drugs are called biocides. Chemicals of this variety are capable of destroying pathogenic microflora of different origin.
Of course, specialists in our time have developed many tools designed to combat insect pests, various kinds of weeds and animals capable of spreading the infection. Such substances can also be attributed to the group of biocides.
Main varieties
Currently, the industry produces the following types of biocides:
- insecticides;
- herbicides;
- fungicides;
- bactericides;
- acaricides;
- antibiotics
- antiseptics;
- zoocides.
These are the most popular and common substances of this type. Each such biocide has a relatively narrow spectrum of action. Some of these substances are designed to fight fungi and bacteria, others - against harmful insects, and others - with animals and plants.
Of course, other biocides can be used by humans, for example, algaecides, disinfectants, etc. In any case, all such drugs are classified into two large groups:
Main applications
So, what is it - biocides, of course. But where can substances of this type be used? Most often, biocides are used by humans in:
- agriculture;
- medicine;
- construction.
Also, the funds of this group can be used in textile, shoe and even in the food industry.
What composition can have?
The substrate preparations of this variety may have a liquid, oily, solid, pasty. When active chemical elements are added to the base, the desired, effective in the fight against microorganisms, insects, etc. preparation is obtained. They can be used as substrates for biocides, for example:
- soybean oil;
- ethers;
- epoxy resin;
- glycol solutions;
- water
- alcohol.
In any case, the composition of the biocide solution, a pasty substance of this type or solid (for example, granular) should, of course, include the active substance itself, which kills microorganisms or suppresses their vital functions. This can be, for example, any derivatives of arsenic or metals, strongly smelling or made on the basis of halogen substances.
When developing biocides of any kind, manufacturers, of course, try to achieve, among other things, that they are as safe as possible for the person himself. In recommended doses, such substances should not be toxic to humans. Of course, preparations of this variety should be developed in such a way as to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction in a person.
The use of biocides in agriculture
In this industry, such types of drugs as fungicides, bactericides, herbicides and insecticides are most often used. The first variety of substances is used in agriculture to inhibit the growth of mycelium of various pathogenic fungi, for example, late blight or powdery mildew. The most famous fungicides used in agriculture are Bordeaux liquid and copper sulfate solution.
Bactericides are used in growing plants to kill bacteria. Insecticides are used to control harmful insects. With the help of herbicides in the fields, weeds are destroyed.
Biocides deserved the best reviews from agricultural workers. In this area, it is simply impossible to do without the use of such means. Harvest or weed, or he will die from the invasion of harmful insects or disease.
Use in medicine for the treatment and prevention of diseases
In this area, biocides are very often used, for example, for disinfection and disinfection. To this end, in medicine, first of all, antiseptics are used. Also, of course, antibiotics are often used in this area. Such biocides are used in medicine directly for the treatment of various diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Biocides of this group include, for example, drugs such as Levomycetin, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, etc.
In addition to antiseptics and antibiotics, biocides of the acaricide group can be used to maintain human health. Such funds are used to treat places of rest from ticks, which are known to be capable of transmitting encephalitis and other dangerous diseases.
Zoocides can be used by humans to destroy or expel, for example, rats and mice. Such rodents are also known to be carriers of infection.
Construction application
It is necessary to know what biocides are, including people, for example, who have decided to build a house, a bathhouse, a barn, etc. In the construction industry, such drugs are mainly used to combat fungus. The quality of various building materials is determined primarily by, of course, their durability. Infection of the same boards, concrete, brick, plastic, coatings with fungus, of course, contributes to their destruction and a significant reduction in service life.
The instructions for the use of biocides of this group usually indicate that they should be used as an impregnation. But sometimes the substances of this variety are simply added to the composition of the material at the stage of its manufacture. Thus, for example, various kinds of coatings and plastics can be produced.
Use in the textile and footwear industry
In this area, biocides began to be used relatively recently. Using such funds, light industry enterprises have recently begun to produce, for example, special antibacterial clothing. Such things are recommended to be purchased when, for whatever reason, they will subsequently not have to be washed for a long time.
They are made by light industry using biocides and insoles for shoes. In this case, the main purpose of such substances is to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor due to the rapid development of microflora.
Use in the food industry
In enterprises of this specialization, biocides are usually used as preservatives. If they are present in the recipe of a product, the shelf life of the latter is significantly increased. The most common preservatives used in the food industry include:
- table salt and vinegar;
- E (280, 282, 285, etc.);
- E 281 (lactic acid), etc.
Antiseptic substances can also be used to disinfect drinking water. What are these - biocides, we found out. These are substances that can primarily destroy microorganisms. Thus, for example, biocides, chlorine, silver ions, sodium hypochlorite, etc. can be used for disinfecting water.
Features of use
On microorganisms, insects, plants and animals, such agents can have two types of effects:
- life suppression and direct destruction;
- scaring away (repellents).
In any case, most biocides can, unfortunately, cause harm, including to the human body. This happens in cases where when using such funds the prescribed dosages prescribed by the manufacturer are violated. Biocides if used improperly can cause poisoning, burns, have a negative effect on the nervous system, etc.
The concentration of the active substance in preparations of this type is different. In medicine, the necessary dosages of such agents are determined, of course, by doctors. In all other cases, when using such drugs should be guided simply by the manufacturer's instructions. Biocides in any field should be used in strictly recommended amounts.