International Space Station filled with germs

Despite orbiting 248 miles above the Earth, the International Space Station is swarming with infectious germs, a new study has found – and astronauts might have to get the vacuum cleaner out if they want to avoid inflammation or skin irritations.

While the opportunistic bacterial pathogens are mostly innocuous on Earth, they are thriving in the station that has turned out to be a prime breeding ground.

It seems the bugs like their new home in the unique environment that has experienced microgravity, space radiation, elevated carbon dioxide and continuous occupation by humans for nearly 15 years.
An analysis of dust collected from the artificial satellite found that Actinobacteria – a type of bacteria associated with human skin – made up a larger proportion of the microbial community in the ISS.

Two groups of opportunistic pathogens that can lead to infections were also found in the ISS dust samples, but the research did not address the virulence of these pathogens in closed environments or the risk of infection to astronauts.