ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Bioaerosols in an Underground Tourist Trail
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1
Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
2
Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
3
Laboratory of Environmental and Occupational Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Submission date: 2019-10-27
Final revision date: 2020-01-14
Acceptance date: 2020-01-14
Online publication date: 2020-04-16
Publication date: 2020-06-08
Corresponding author
Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek
Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(5):3865-3872
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ABSTRACT
Cultural heritage objects, often aged and vulnerable, are at a particularly high risk of microbial
pollution. Enzymatic activity of bacteria and fungi might lead to the damage of precious antique
objects, while microbial pathogenicity and immunogenicity can pose a threat to the health of staff
and visitors. Therefore, monitoring the microbiological contamination of cultural heritage objects is
necessary, especially in the case of unique objects, like tourist trails located underground. We have
evaluated the concentration and diversity of microorganisms present in the air and surfaces of the
Lublin Underground Trail located in Poland. We have found the prevalence of bacterial species being
a part of the human microbiota in the analysed air. The average fungal contamination of the air was
low (337 CFU/m3), but we have identified species of high immunogenicity and those contributing to
biodeterioration. Microclimatic parameters were considered as favourable for microbial growth, which
emphasizes the role of adequate heating and ventilation air conditioning systems providing sufficient air
quality in cultural heritage objects.