Biodeterioration of external architectural paint films – A review

This paper presents a review of the biodeterioration of architectural paint films by bacteria, fungi and algae, concentrating on external films. 107 references are cited in the following sections: 1. Microbiota of paint films – resident microflora, colonization and biofilm formation; 2. Effects of environment on biofilm formation and survival; 3. Influence of paint formulation on colonization – basic paint components, pigment volume content (PVC), pigments, biocides; 4. Effects of painted substrate on susceptibility; 5. Instrumental methods used in the analysis of paint film biodeterioration – vibrational spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, HPLC, image analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, GC–MS; 6. New technologies in the coatings industry – photocatalytic layers, cool paints, silver nanoparticles, silicon-containing paints. ► The biodeterioration of exterior dry paint films is reviewed. ► Influence of paint formulation and climate on biofilm formation is discussed. ► Methods used for paint deterioration studies are included. ► New trends in the paint industry are discussed.