Justin Wang

While NASA plans to send astronauts to Mars in the next decade, not much is known about how dust on the planet will affect human lungs. NASA was surprisd when astronauts returned from the Moon with pulmonary symptoms due to abrasive and oxidative dust. In response, Justin Wang (MS2) led a study along with fellow Keck students Jeremy Rosenbaum (MS2), Ajay Prasad (MS2), and Robert Raad (MS2) to investigate how dust on Mars could harm astronauts before we send humans to the Red Planet.

They worked with a team of scientists, doctors, and engineers affiliated with SpaceX, NASA Johnson Space Center Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, UCLA Space Medicine and Emergency Medicine, the Geology and Aerospace Engineering departments at the University of Colorado Boulder, and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics—the last two being Justin Wang’s alma mater.

The team investigated data from Martian rovers, satellites, and meteorites to identify potentially harmful substances to humans. They then examined medical literature to evaluate associated symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies. The main concerns include silica, which causes a pulmonary disease called silicosis; perchlorates, which can lead to thyroid disease; and nanophase iron oxides, which give Mars its red color and are also associated with pulmonary illness.

Additionally, since Martian dust averages 3μm in diameter—smaller than the 5μm threshold that mucus in human lungs can expel—it is more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the circulatory system. This makes the risk of pulmonary disease especially high. Moreover, astronauts will be predisposed to radiation-induced fibrotic lung disease due to prolonged space travel, compounding the danger.

The authors emphasize the importance of dust cleaning and filtering as the primary prevention strategy. They also explore medical interventions such as iodine and vitamin C supplementation, though they caution that these may carry risks and contraindications.

Since a round-trip journey to Mars will take no less than 1.5 years, the potential consequences of dust exposure could jeopardize both astronaut health and mission success. The team underscores that preparation from scientists, doctors, and engineers alike is critical to ensuring astronaut safety and achieving the goals of interplanetary exploration.

Justin’s CNN Interview