A new study has unveiled the potential health hazards of Martian dust for future astronauts, warning of chronic respiratory issues and thyroid disease. Researchers stress the urgency of developing protective measures before human missions to Mars.
Scientists have uncovered troubling findings that could have significant implications for human exploration of Mars. A collaborative team, including researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, has issued a warning about the health risks posed by Martian dust. The study reveals that long-term exposure to this dust could lead to a range of health issues for astronauts, including chronic respiratory problems and thyroid disease.
Published in the journal GeoHealth, this pioneering study is the first of its kind to thoroughly analyze the chemical makeup of Martian dust and its potential effects on human health. The research involved a multidisciplinary team from the fields of medicine, geology and aerospace engineering.
“This isn’t the most dangerous part about going to Mars,” lead author Justin Wang, a CU Boulder alumnus who is now a student in the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, said in a news release. “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.”
Historically, Apollo-era astronauts experienced minor symptoms such as runny eyes and irritated throats from lunar dust.
However, the risks posed by Martian dust could be far more severe. By utilizing data from Martian rovers and meteorites, Wang and his team identified a range of harmful compounds in Martian dust, including silicates, iron oxides, beryllium, arsenic and perchlorates.
“You’re going to get dust on your spacesuits, and you’re going to have to deal with regular dust storms,” added co-author Brian Hynek, a geologist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at CU Boulder. “We really need to characterize this dust so that we know what the hazards are.”
The findings highlight that Martian dust, which gives the planet its iconic red color, is composed of particles so tiny that they can bypass the protective mucus in human lungs and enter the bloodstream. This dust could remain in the lungs and potentially be absorbed into the body, exacerbating health issues.
“That’s smaller than what the mucus in our lungs can expel,” Wang added. “So after we inhale Martian dust, a lot of it could remain in our lungs and be absorbed into our bloodstream.”
The health risks outlined in the study are alarming. For example, Martian dust contains large quantities of silica, which could lead to silicosis, a disease that causes lung scarring and breathing difficulties.
Additionally, the presence of perchlorates could interfere with thyroid function, potentially causing severe anemia.
“Prevention is key. We tell everyone to go see their primary care provider to check your cholesterol before it gives you a heart attack,” added Wang. “The best thing we can do on Mars is make sure the astronauts aren’t exposed to dust in the first place.”
The research team suggests various preventive measures, including iodine supplements to counteract the effects of perchlorates and specially designed air filters to keep living spaces free from dust.
The study’s co-authors include USC medical students Jeremy Rosenbaum, Ajay Prasad, Robert Raad; Esther Putnam, a former CU Boulder aerospace engineering graduate now at SpaceX; Andrea Harrington from NASA Johnson Space Center; and Haig Aintablian, director of the Space Medicine Program at UCLA, also affiliated with SpaceX.
Source: University of Colorado Boulder