In 1972, Apollo 17 Astronaut 17 Harrison Schmitt He exhaled by accident Lunar dust that his teammates brought probably attached to his equipment. For a moment it was enough for his eyes to cry while his throat burned him, and a sudden series of sneezing grabbed him. It was only a few hours of lunar stay. Nevertheless, the astronauts who travel to Mars should spend much longer there. It is worth the science to advance to their movements and analyzes the risks Martian dust; Well, if measures are not taken, the consequences can be very serious.
This is the assumption on which the study has recently been published. Geogizh hand of scientists Colorado University BowlerScience still does not yet have awarded species of dust. There is already a mission in order to attract them. However, samples Persistence They arrive to Earth until the 2030s. Fortunately, several roots are located on the surface of the Red Planet, which can take their own measurements. For example, a case Curiosity, Whose mini -laboratory on the board can collect samples and analyze them on the spot using methods such as Gas chromatography.
All this, along with the analysis conducted by the satellites, allowed the authors of the study to understand approximately the composition of Martian dust. Thus, they saw that it contains substances that can be very dangerous if they are inhaled, especially when it is done for long periods of time. There will be much greater dangers, such as cosmic radiation, but the problem of dust is quite easy to solve if those who get there know what they are faced with. That’s why Prevention.
What is Martian dust made?
The analysis of these scientists suggests that Martian dust contains, among other substances, Silicates, iron oxides, metals, such as chrome, arsenic or beryllium, and perforates.
The effects of inhalation of some of these substances are well known on Earth. Others are much more unknown, but there are signs that they can be very dangerous. In the first group SilicatesThe inhalation of these compounds is very common among certain workers, such as glass blower or those that produce and manipulate quartz conglomerates. This can lead to a disease called silicosis, which is characterized by the presence of scars in lung tissues, accompanied by difficulty of breathing, fatigue and weight loss. The life expectancy of these patients usually does not exceed 10 or 20 years from the moment of the diagnosis.
Happening Martian dust perchloratesThe profiles of these compounds exist on Earth, but there is not much information about the consequences of their inhalation. During the long -lasting, there is a suspicion that this can cause Damage to the work of the thyroid glandThis questionnaire will happen, especially if the exhibition remains with time. Since it is estimated that Mars mission should last at least a year and a half, this would be most likely.
There is also a case of substances, inhalation of which on Earth is very dangerous, but there are no records that in Martian dust they are in sufficient concentration to cause damage. This happens, for example, with chromium.
In any case, the biggest problem of Martian dust is that, according to the calculations performed in this study, many of its particles may have A diameter of less than 3 micrometers. This would allow them to cross the lungs and easily reach blood, thereby spreading to other tissues.
What can be done?
The authors of this new study believe that knowledge of the composition of Martian dust is necessary for prevention. For example, their conclusion about Perchlorate indicates that astronauts should carry with them iodine additives To protect the thyroid gland. It also gives them sufficient information for the development of air filters for space costumes.
It will be necessary to investigate more, if possible, with samples that will bring persistence. NASA calculations indicate that people will arrive at Mars by 2040. Instead, Elon Musk wants to take them much earlier. He came to talk about 2029, although he also notes that he could postpone until 2031. Changing the predictions of the general director of SpaceX is already our daily bread. We cannot take them just as sure. For science, it would be perfectly to analyze Martian dust before this expected trip. If this is not possible, at least with this last study, we have a good approach to what can be found by the first visitors to the Red Planet.
Source: Hiper Textual
