Air-conditioned areas of a museum were monitored for the presence of total microbes in the air. The results were evaluated based on a Brazilian resolution that regulates accepted contamination levels in air-conditioned spaces, as well as based on the parameters from the World Health Organization. The results indicated low levels of bacterial and fungal populations in four distinct spaces, with total counts smaller than 50CFU m -3 . These results, compared to the monitoring performed in the outside area of the museum indicated a very low internal to external count ratio, the highest one around 0.131, a value far beyond the acceptable limit of 1.5, as predicted by the Brazilian legislation. Even though those values clearly indicate low levels of contamination for human comfort, in the spaces monitored, the marked presence of fungi from the genera Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium deserve particularly attention due to their possible cellulolytic activity. The spaces are permanently controlled for their temperature and relative humidity levels, to be used as a permanent repository for scientific and historical documents in Brazil, and the presence of these potential cellulose-degrading microbes can markedly jeopardize the effective occupation of the areas due to their biodeterioration effects.

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The venue was a very good one. Its location was well-suited for easy walks to nearby restaurants; the meeting room was well-equipped and a good size for hosting the attendees; and having everyone stay at the same hotel made it conducive to fostering conversations with others outside of the main presentations, which is often where some of the most useful discussions take place.• II PANGEO was successful because of the number of participants from different countries, and because of the large number of students in attendance. I believe that the students found it very valuable to learn from more senior scientists and to exchange ideas with them.• The range of topics presented at the workshop was very good, covering a variety of areas of expertise. Suggestions (for III PANGEO):• I would recommend trying to schedule more time for hands-on measurement sessions at the observatory. If people are encouraged to bring their own theodolites to the workshop, they should have more opportunity to work with experienced observers who can advise them on their techniques and methods of recording their absolute measurements.• I would encourage more time for hands-on equipment sessions, or demonstrations of software that can be used to view, analyze, or process data. I think this is one of the most important ways we can build capacity in other countries who may not have the means to develop such tools themselves.• All of the attendees would benefit from having the full workshop schedule available to them before traveling to the workshop, so that they can plan their travel and presentations accordingly.