NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
International Space Station Air Quality Assessed According to Toxicologically-Grouped CompoundsScores of compounds are found in the International Space Station (ISS) atmospheric samples that are returned to the Johnson Space Center Toxicology Laboratory for analysis. Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMACs) are set with the view that each compound is present as if there were no other compounds present. In order to apply SMACs to the interpretation of the analytical data, the toxicologist must employ some method of combining the potential effects of the aggregate of compounds found in the atmospheric samples. The simplest approach is to assume that each quantifiable compound has the potential for some effect in proportion to the applicable SMAC, and then add all the proportions. This simple paradigm disregards the fact that most compounds have potential to adversely affect only a few physiological systems, and their effects would be independent rather than additive. An improved approach to dealing with exposure to mixtures is to add the proportions only for compounds that adversely affect the same physiological system. For example, toxicants that cause respiratory irritation are separated from those that cause neurotoxicity or cardio-toxicity. Herein we analyze ISS air quality data according to toxicological groups with a view that this could be used for understanding any crew symptoms occurring at the time of the sample. In addition, this approach could be useful in post-flight longitudinal surveys where the flight surgeon may need to identify post-flight, follow-up medical studies because of on-orbit exposures that target specific physiological systems.
Document ID
20090040683
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
James, John T.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Limero, Tom
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
DeVera, Vanessa
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Cheng, Patti
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Hand, Jennifer
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Macatangay, Ariel
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Beck, Steve
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2009
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-19331
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Start Date: July 12, 2010
End Date: July 15, 2010
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available