Dust Inhalation – NSBRI http://nsbri.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Sun, 07 Feb 2016 20:06:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.9 Clearance of Particles Depositing in the Human Lung in Low Gravity http://nsbri.org/researches/clearance-of-particles-depositing-in-the-human-lung-in-low-gravity/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:52:54 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/clearance-of-particles-depositing-in-the-human-lung-in-low-gravity/ In addition to making a mess inside a vehicle or habitat, lunar dust poses a health risk to astronauts that visit the moon. Dr. Kim Prisk is studying how lunar dust, which may contain toxic properties, moves in the lungs. On Earth, inhaled matter that is deposited in the lungs is effectively removed from the […]

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]]> In addition to making a mess inside a vehicle or habitat, lunar dust poses a health risk to astronauts that visit the moon. Dr. Kim Prisk is studying how lunar dust, which may contain toxic properties, moves in the lungs. On Earth, inhaled matter that is deposited in the lungs is effectively removed from the body by clearance mechanisms. But in reduced gravity, the deposition is reduced allowing particles to go deeper into the lungs and nearer to sensitive tissue, bypassing the normal clearance mechanisms. As a continuation of a previous project, Prisk will assess particle movement during normal gravity conditions and simulated lunar conditions. The research will answer the question of how dangerous lunar dust is to human health. The findings could also benefit health care on Earth by giving doctors a better understanding of how the lungs work and allow more efficient delivery of aerosol medications.

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]]> Aerosol Deposition in the Lung in Fractional Gravity: Risk Mitigation for Lunar and Martian Habitats http://nsbri.org/researches/aerosol-deposition-in-the-lung-in-fractional-gravity-risk-mitigation-for-lunar-and-martian-habitats/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:52:54 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/aerosol-deposition-in-the-lung-in-fractional-gravity-risk-mitigation-for-lunar-and-martian-habitats/ The inhalation and deposition of small particles in the lungs is a health concern on Earth and for future space travelers. In microgravity and in the reduced gravity of the moon and Mars, inhaled particles are left in suspension in the airways and can be transported deeper into the lung where they could reach the […]

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]]> The inhalation and deposition of small particles in the lungs is a health concern on Earth and for future space travelers. In microgravity and in the reduced gravity of the moon and Mars, inhaled particles are left in suspension in the airways and can be transported deeper into the lung where they could reach the sensitive alveolar region. On the moon and Mars, it is believed that much of the dust is highly reactive, which may exacerbate its potential for lung damage. Because it is electro-statically charged, dust sticks to spacesuits and could be tracked into habitats and subsequently inhaled. Dr. G. Kim Prisk is using human and animal studies to provide a framework for assessing the health risk of dust exposure on the moon and Mars.

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]]> Variability in Flow Distribution within the Lung and its Effects on Deposition and Clearance of Inhaled Particles in Normal and Reduced Gravity (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/variability-in-flow-distribution-within-the-lung-and-its-effects-on-deposition-and-clearance-of-inhaled-particles-in-normal-and-reduced-gravity-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:53:10 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/variability-in-flow-distribution-within-the-lung-and-its-effects-on-deposition-and-clearance-of-inhaled-particles-in-normal-and-reduced-gravity-postdoctoral-fellowship/ When astronauts return to the moon, one concern will be the inhalation of lunar dust, which has toxic properties. Dr. Rui Carlos Sa is conducting a study to better understand how the patterns of air movement inside the lungs affect the distribution of small, inhaled particles and the removal rates of such particles. Sa’s project […]

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]]> When astronauts return to the moon, one concern will be the inhalation of lunar dust, which has toxic properties. Dr. Rui Carlos Sa is conducting a study to better understand how the patterns of air movement inside the lungs affect the distribution of small, inhaled particles and the removal rates of such particles.

Sa’s project will incorporate and add to ongoing research at the University of California, San Diego. Sa will map the movement and distribution patterns in normal gravity and combine it with existing lunar dust research results. The comparison of the normal gravity results and lunar gravity data will increase the understanding of the role of gravity in the movement and removal of particles in the lungs.

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