Scientists reveal hidden danger on the International Space Station – and why it needs to be taken out of orbit soon

THE air in International Space Station (ISS) is dirtier than the floor of the average UK or US home, a new study has revealed.

Astronauts on the orbital post may be inhaling air with nanoplastics, particles restricted by the European Chemicals Agency and even known carcinogens.

ESA/NASA

While the air is constantly recirculated and CO2 is removed, the structure is getting old and scientists are unsure to what degree the filtration system can remove certain chemicals.

The ISS has been in Earth’s orbit for 24 years, and is slated to be decommissioned by the end of the decade.

Hundreds of astronauts have passed through the space hub in that time, bringing with them a host of personal items for their sometimes months-long stays.

A successor, Starlab, is already being designed to replace it.

But scientists behind the study – the first of its kind regarding the ISS – say it will help inform new designed for the next space station and future spacecraft.

“Our findings have implications for future space stations and habitats, where it may be possible to exclude many contaminant sources by careful material choices in the early stages of design and construction,” co-author of the study professor Stuart Harrad, from the University of Birmingham, explained.

“While concentrations of organic contaminants discovered in dust from the ISS often exceeded median values found in homes and other indoor environments across the US and western Europe, levels of these compounds were generally within the range found on earth.”

The so-called ‘space dust’ included polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), ‘novel’ brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Here’s what these particles actually mean:

• BFRs and OPEs are used in electrical and electronic equipment, building insulation, furniture fabrics and foams.
• PAH are present in hydrocarbon fuels and emitted from combustion processes.
• PCBs were used in building and window sealants and in electrical equipment as dielectric fluids.
• PFAS have been used in anti-staining agents for fabrics and clothing.
  • However, their potential effects on human health have led to some of them being banned or limited in use.
• PCBs, as well as some PFAS, HBCDD and PBDEs, are classed as persistent organic pollutants.
• Some PAH are classified as human carcinogens.
• Some OPEs are under consideration for restriction by the European Chemicals Agency.

Scientists from Birmingham were sent a vacuum bag filled with debris from the ISS’ air filtration system to analyse, alongside Nasa scientists.

Researchers suspect the air has slowly been clogged with particles from clothing lint, as well as personal items such as cameras, MP3 players, tablets, laptops and medical devices.

These are all potential sources of the chemicals found, the study said.

NASA

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