What kinds of health threats can the Martian dust bring to future astronauts? This is what a recent study published in GeoHealth hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated potential chronic health concerns, specifically respiratory and cardiovascular, that future astronauts could face during their long journeys to the Red Planet. This study has the potential to help astronauts, mission planners, medical professionals, and the public better understand the health risks associated with traveling to Mars and the steps that can be taken to mitigate them.
“This isn't the most dangerous part about going to Mars,” said Justin Wang, who is a medical study in the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) and lead author of the study. “But dust is a solvable problem, and it’s worth putting in the effort to develop Mars-focused technologies for preventing these health problems in the first place.”
For the study, the researchers conducted an analogous examination of substances on Earth that cause health problems and could cause similar problems as Martian dust. The primary concern that the researchers identified is the small grain size of the Martian dust particles, which could cause lung irritation like the Apollo astronauts experienced from lunar dust (i.e., sneezing). However, while the Apollo astronauts were only breathing in lunar dust for a few days, future Mars astronauts will endure breathing Martian dust for several months at minimum.
“You’re going to get dust on your spacesuits, and you’re going to have to deal with regular dust storms,” said Dr. Brian Hynek, who is a geologist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at CU Boulder and a co-author on the study. “We really need to characterize this dust so that we know what the hazards are.”
Other concerns are the chemical compositions of Martian dust, much of which is still unknown. However, it is known to be very toxic, including perchlorates (firework ingredients), iron oxides, and other toxic metals. Other concerns include encountering greater levels of dust on larger volcanoes, which are abundant on Mars.
Justin Wang (left) and Brian Hynek (right) at Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica. (Credit: Justin Wang)
To mitigate these risks, the researchers recommend developing medical treatments, cleaning procedures, and dust filtration systems to reduce exposure to Martian dust when indoors. This is because Martian dust could stick to spacesuits and track inside habitats, leading to health risks.
“Prevention is key. We tell everyone to go see their primary care provider to check your cholesterol before it gives you a heart attack,” said Wang. “The best thing we can do on Mars is make sure the astronauts aren’t exposed to dust in the first place.”
What health risks will future Mars astronauts face from Martian dust in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: GeoHealth, EurekAlert!
Featured Image Credit: NASA/Pat Rawlings/SAIC
