Disinfectants for spacecraft applications - An overviewThe review of disinfectants for use on manned missions emphasizes the need for contamination control to prevent the detrimental effects of bacteria growth on crew health. Microbial control is possible by means of biocides, but the selected product has to meet stringent toxicity requirements for the small environments in spacecraft. The testing and evaluation is described of four biocide candidates: hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium compounds, iodine, and glutaraldehyde. The effectiveness of the disinfectants are analyzed in terms of the ability to treat typical microbial counts from Skylab missions in a closed environment. It is shown that many biocide candidates are not compatible with the ECLSS, water-recovery management, and air-revitalization subsystems of the Space Station Freedom. The use of hydrogen peroxide is proposed with a secondary stronger agent for microbial spills from biological experiments.
Document ID
19920039231
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Koenig, David W. (Krug Life Sciences, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Mallary, Laura L. (Krug Life Sciences, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Pierson, Duane L. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)