# Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation for Domestic Cooling Footprint Reduction: A Review
## 8 Discussion
The study revealed that mycelium composites emitted less smoke (0.9-70 m\({}^{2}\)/m\({}^{2}\)) and CO\({}_{2}\) (6.3-23.8 g) within 180 s from ignition compared to synthetic construction materials, which exhibited higher levels of smoke density (64-1184 m\({}^{2}\)/m\({}^{2}\)) and CO\({}_{2}\) release (15.2-29.9 g). Notably, mycelium composites derived from rice hulls displayed significantly lower CO\({}_{2}\) emissions (0.02 g) than synthetic samples (0.47 g) during the same time interval [31]. Further research supported the superior fire-retardant properties of mycelium composites, attributing their efficacy to substantial char formation, influenced by aromatic compounds and phosphorus in the mycelium, and the high silica content of agricultural waste used for growth. The overall findings of this review emphasize the potential of mycelium biocomposites as a promising green alternative for insulation materials. Using readily available agricultural waste contributes to their affordability and environmental suitability, while their biodegradability aligns them with circular economy principles [90; 91]. A comparative study assessed the adsorption performance of mycelium composites cultivated on four distinct substrates (hemp, rice straw, lacquer tree wood chips, and oak wood chips) regarding particulate matter. These findings were juxtaposed against those of a prevalent architectural exterior material, namely Pocheon granite stone panels. The outcomes of isothermal calorimetry analysis indicate a marked increase in the adsorption capacity of nitrate and sulfate ions on the mycelium composite panels across all substrates, surpassing that of the Pocheon granite panels. Specifically, the mycelium panels exhibited notable variances in nitrate absorption, ranging from 204 mg/kg to 59 mg/kg, and sulfate absorption, ranging from 1189 mg/kg to 131 mg/kg. In contrast, the nitrate absorption capacity of Pocheon granite panels amounted to a mere 3 mg/kg, while sulfate absorption was measured at 4 mg/kg [12]. While existing research has shown promising results regarding the adsorption capacity of mycelium-composite panels for pollutants like nitrates and sulfates, there may be a limited understanding of how these panels perform over extended periods when exposed to various environmental factors such as weathering, temperature fluctuations, humidity, and other potential stressors. Investigating the long-term stability and performance of mycelium-composite panels in outdoor settings and their ability to maintain their adsorption capacity over time could provide valuable insights into their practical applicability as sustainable solutions for air quality improvement. This would involve conducting field studies and monitoring the panels' performance over several seasons to assess their durability, potential degradation, and ongoing adsorption efficiency. Mycelium can capture and store carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. This natural process, called carbon sequestration, mirrors how plants and other organisms perform photosynthesis. Integrating living substances into construction and infrastructure can effectively transform them into carbon sinks, thereby reducing atmospheric CO\({}_{2}\) levels. Besides their carbon sequestration abilities, living materials also offer the potential to curtail energy consumption within buildings. For instance, insulation derived from mycelium has demonstrated impressive thermal insulation qualities, thereby diminishing the demand for energy-intensive heating and cooling systems. The application of mycelium in construction also carries the possibility of waste reduction and fostering a circular economy. Numerous living materials can be cultivated into specific shapes and sizes, minimizing the need for cutting and minimizing waste during the building process. Additionally, these materials can often be compost or recycled at the end of their life cycle, reducing the waste volume directed to landfills.