| In order to pave
the way for future NASA missions to the Moon, the Space Biosciences
Division at Ames is working to better understand the potential
health effects of lunar dust. Lunar dust, which is found nowhere
on Earth, has unique characteristics, including very small
particle size, unusual chemical composition and potential
surface reactivity, all of which may contribute to its biological
effects.
Areas of concern include potential pulmonary toxicity, skin
effects and ocular effects. This interdisciplinary project
involves cellular studies, focused on red-ox biochemistry
and other signal transduction pathways, as well as physiological
studies, using lunar dust stimulants, terrestrial reference
materials and archived lunar dust specimens. Parallel efforts
are underway to better understand the chemistry and physics
of lunar dust, to provide information needed for follow-up
biological experiments. The results of these studies are expected
to have implications for crew health, design of advanced life
support systems, and for medical operations requirements of
lunar missions. |
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