[Effect of lunar dust on humans: -lunar dust: regolith-]

Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2010 Sep;65(4):479-85. doi: 10.1265/jjh.65.479.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We reviewed the effect of lunar dust (regolith) on humans by the combination of the hazard/exposure of regolith and microgravity of the moon. With regard to the physicochemical properties of lunar dust, the hazard-related factors are its components, fibrous materials and nanoparticles. Animal exposure studies have been performed using a simulant of lunar dust, and it was speculated that the harmful effects of the simulant lies between those of crystalline silica and titanium dioxide. Fibrous materials may not have a low solubility judging from their components. The nanoparticles in lunar dust may have harmful potentials from the view of the components. As for exposure to regolith, there is a possibility that particles larger than ones in earth (1 gravity) are respirable. In microgravity, 1) the deposition of particles of less than 1 µm in diameter in the human lung did not decrease, 2) the functions of macrophages including phagocytosis were suppressed, 3) pulmonary inflammation was changed. These data on hazard/exposure and microgravity suggest that fine and ultrafine particles in regolith may have potential hazards and risks for humans.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Cosmic Dust / adverse effects*
  • Cosmic Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology
  • Moon*
  • Nanoparticles
  • Particle Size
  • Phagocytosis
  • Risk
  • Weightlessness

Substances

  • Cosmic Dust