Various microorganisms surround a person almost everywhere. Bacteria are everywhere on earth. Some of them may be considered safe or even beneficial. But many microorganisms can cause serious harm to humans: cause diseases, spoil food, building structures, suppress the development of cultivated plants, etc.
Biocides - what is it?
To combat harmful microorganisms, scientists have developed many tools based on a variety of active substances. Such preparations are called biocides. Chemicals of this variety are capable of destroying pathogenic microflora of various origins.
Of course, specialists in our time have developed many tools designed to combat insect pests, various kinds of weeds and animals that can spread infection. Such substances can also be classified as biocides.
Main varieties
Currently, the industry produces the following types of biocides:
- insecticides;
- herbicides;
- fungicides;
- bactericides;
- acaricides;
- antibiotics;
- antiseptics;
- zoocides.
These are the most sought-after and common substances of this type by man. Each such biocide has a relatively narrow spectrum of action. Some of these substances are designed to fight fungi and bacteria, others - with harmful insects, and others - with animals and plants.
Of course, other biocides can also be used by humans, for example, algicides, disinfectants, etc. In any case, all such drugs are classified into two large groups:
- organic;
- inorganic.
Main Applications
So, what is it - biocides, of course. But where can substances of this type be used? Most commonly, biocides are used by humans in:
- agriculture;
- medicine;
- construction.
Also, the products of this group can be used in the textile, footwear and even food industries.
What could be the composition?
Substrate preparations of this variety can be liquid, oily, solid, pasty. When active chemical elements are added to the base, the desired preparation is obtained, effective in the fight against microorganisms, insects, etc. Can be used as substrates for biocides, for example:
- soybean oil;
- ethers;
- epoxy;
- glycolsolutions;
- water;
- alcohol.
In any case, the composition of a biocide solution, a pasty substance of this type or a solid (for example, granular) must, of course, include the active substance itself, which kills microorganisms or suppresses their vital activity. These can be, for example, any derivatives of arsenic or metals, strong-smelling or halogen-based 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. At recommended doses, such substances should not be toxic to humans. Of course, drugs of this variety should also be developed in such a way as to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction in humans.
Use of biocides in agriculture
Fungicides, bactericides, herbicides, and insecticides are the types most commonly used in this industry. The first type of substances is used in agriculture to suppress the growth of mycelium of various pathogenic fungi, for example, phytophthora or powdery mildew. The best known 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.
Reviewsbiocides deserve the best from agricultural workers. In this area, it is simply impossible to do without the use of such tools. The crop will either be clogged with weeds, or it 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 decontamination and disinfection. For this purpose, antiseptics are primarily used in medicine. Also in this area are very often used, of course, and antibiotics. 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 also be used to preserve human he alth. Such products are used to treat resting places from ticks, which, as you know, can be carriers of encephalitis and other dangerous diseases.
Zoocides can be used by humans to kill or expel, for example, rats and mice. These rodents are also known to carry the disease.
Construction applications
To know what it is - biocides, it is also necessary for people, for example, who decide to build a house, a bathhouse, a barn, etc. In the construction industry, such preparations are used mainly to combat fungus. The quality of various building materialsdetermined primarily, of course, their durability. Infection of boards, concrete, bricks, plastics, paintwork materials with a fungus, of course, contributes to their destruction and a significant reduction in service life.
In the instructions for use of biocides of this group, it is usually indicated that they should be used as impregnations. But sometimes 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 textile and footwear industry
In this area, biocides have been used relatively recently. With the use of such funds, light industry enterprises have recently begun to produce, for example, special antibacterial clothing. It is recommended to purchase such things when, for some reason, they will not have to be washed later for a long time.
Produced by light industry using biocides and shoe insoles. 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.
Food industry use
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 s alt and vinegar;
- E (280, 282, 285, etc.);
- E 281 (lactic acid), etc.
Antiseptic substances can also be used to disinfect drinking water. What is it - biocides, we found out. These are substances capable of primarily destroying microorganisms. For water disinfection, for example, biocides, chlorine, silver ions, sodium hypochlorite, etc. can be used.
Features of use
On microorganisms, insects, plants and animals, such agents can have two types of effect:
- suppression of vital activity and direct destruction;
- repellent (repellants).
In any case, most biocides can, unfortunately, be harmful, including the human body. This happens in cases where, when using such products, the prescribed dosages provided by the manufacturer are violated. Biocides, if used incorrectly, 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 drugs are determined, of course, by doctors. In all other cases, when using such drugs, you should simply follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Biocides in all areas should be used in strictly recommended amounts.
