[Harmful biological agents at museum workposts].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the studies was to determine the level and kind of microbiological contamination of air and surfaces in museum premises with various collection specificities. In addition, the criteria for selecting indicators of contamination with harmful biological agents at museum workposts are proposed.


METHODS
The analysis of microbial contamination was carried out in 14 museum premises (storehouses, restoration workshops, exhibition hall). Microbiological air purity was measured with a MAS-100 Eco Air Sampler. Surface samples were collected using contact plates RODAC Envirocheck. Biochemical API tests were used to identify bacteria and yeasts. Fungi were diagnosed with taxonomic keys, based on macro- and microscopic mycelia assessment.


RESULTS
The levels of microbiological contamination in museums varied and ranged from 2.1 x 10(2) to 7.0 x 10(3) cfu/m3 in the air and from 1.4 x 10(2) to 1.7 x 10(4) cfu/100 cm2 on surfaces. The dominant microorganisms were fungi, which accounted respectively for 18-98% and 23-100% of all isolates from tested sites and surfaces. It was found that the amount of fungi in the indoor air of the Museum of Archeology and Ethnography and the Museum of Independence Traditions equaled respectively 4.2 x 10(2) cfu/m3 and 1.4 x 10(4) cfu/m3, which means that they exceeded the recommended reference value of 2.0 x 10(2) cfu/m3.


CONCLUSIONS
Having analyzed the frequency of strain isolation, the source of microorganisms and the hazard to human health, 10 fungal species were isolated, which may be regarded as indicators of contamination with harmful biological agents at museum workposts. They are: Aspergillus (A. niger, A. versicolor), Cladosporium (C. herbarum, C. macrocarpum), Penicillium (P. carneum, P. digitatum, P. italicum, P. paneum, P. polonicum), Rhizopus nigricans.
Instytut Technologii Fermentacji i Mikrobiologii, Politechnika Łódzka, Łódź. justyna-skora@wp.pl
Justyna
J
Skóra
Katarzyna
K
Zduniak
Beata
B
Gutarowska
Daria
D
Rembisz
D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009144:Museums; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011044:Poland; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D017132:Workplace
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational