Growth of microbes on the Station's hardware is controlled in several ways. All materials used in the Station are tested for resistance to fungi, and a paint with a fungus-killing chemical is also used. Housekeeping duties include regularly wiping down surfaces with a cloth containing an antiseptic solution. All these steps to reduce microbes in the air and water and on Station surfaces should help keep the Station crew in good health as they conduct their long mission in space. There are many different kinds of bacteria.
Bacteria are quite tough and can live just about anywhere.
A fungus may look like a plant, but the microorganisms called fungi are more closely related to animals. Many fungi get their nutrients directly from soil, while others feed on dead plants and animals. Mushrooms we buy at the food market are a fungus you can eat. Fungi come in many sizes and forms, and some have important uses to humans. Yeasts are very tiny fungi that we use to bake bread.