Microbial contamination of selected objects in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oswiecim

The aim of this study was to assess the microbial contamination of some buildings in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum based on the samples collected from objects located in the BIb section area in the former camp KL Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The microbial contamination found on the tested wooden and brick surfaces did not exceed 10(3) cfu/100 cm(2), and as for the collected dry samples it was contained within the range 10(3) - 10(4) cfu/g. The predominant mold microflora was composed of the species belonging to the genera Acremonium, Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus, and the dominant bacteria were Bacillus sp. and Streptomyces sp. The level of microbial contamination of the building surfaces and material samples was not high, which may be due to specific weather conditions unfavorable for the growth of microbes throughout the period preceding the sampling time. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the status of microbial contamination of these objects in different conditions in the scope of humidity and temperature.