[Effect of lunar dust on humans: -lunar dust: regolith-].
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.
Morimoto
Yasuo
Y
Department of Occupational Pneumology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. yasuom@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Miki
Takeo
T
Higashi
Toshiaki
T
Horie
Seichi
S
Tanaka
Kazunari
K
Mukai
Chiaki
C
D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology; D016081:Moon; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012306:Risk; D014893:Weightlessness
D019443:Cosmic Dust