Possibility of Exacerbation of Allergy by Lunar Regolith

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  • HORIE Masanori
    Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
  • KAMBARA Tatsunori
    Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
  • KURODA Etsushi
    Department of Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
  • MIKI Takeo
    JAXA Space Biomedical Research Office, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
  • HONMA Yoshiyuki
    JAXA Space Biomedical Research Office, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
  • AOKI Shigeru
    Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation
  • MORIMOTO Yasuo
    Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.

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Other Title
  • 月レゴリスによるアレルギー増悪効果の可能性
  • ツキ レゴリス ニ ヨル アレルギー ゾウアク コウカ ノ カノウセイ

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Description

Japan, USA and other foreign space agencies have plans for the construction of a lunar base and long-term stay of astronauts on the moon. The surface of the moon is covered by a thick layer of soil that includes fine particles called "lunar regolith", which is formed by meteorite impact and space weathering. Risk assessment of particulate matter on the moon is important for astronauts working in microgravity on the moon. However, there are few investigations about the biological influences of lunar regolith. Especially, there is no investigation about allergic activity to lunar regolith. The main chemical components of lunar regolith are SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, FeO, etc. Of particular interest, approximately 50% of lunar regolith consists of SiO2. There is a report that the astronauts felt hay fever-like symptoms from the inhalation of the lunar regolith. Yellow sand, whose chemical components are similar to lunar regolith, enhances allergenic reactions, suggesting the possibility that lunar regolith has an adjuvant-like activity. Although intraperitoneal administration of lunar regolith with ovalbumin to mouse did not show enhancement of allergenic reactions, further evaluation of lunar regolithʼs potential to exacerbate the effects of allergies is essential for development of the moon.

Journal

  • Journal of UOEH

    Journal of UOEH 34 (3), 237-243, 2012

    University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

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