The Space Station Is Too Clean and It’s Making Astronauts Sick, Study Says

The cleanliness of the International Space Station (ISS) has come under scrutiny as a recent study suggests that the pristine environment may be contributing to making astronauts sick. Astronauts aboard the ISS have been experiencing issues such as rashes, unusual allergies, and fungal or bacterial infections, raising concerns about the impact of the station’s sterile conditions on their health.

Published in the journal Cell in February, the study points out that the ISS lacks the diverse microbial ecosystems that are typically found on Earth. This absence of microbial exposure can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases and heightened inflammatory responses. Over 800 samples were collected from various surfaces on the space station to analyse the microbial diversity present.

The research revealed a significant loss of microbial diversity on the ISS compared to other natural and built environments. The study suggests that fostering diverse microbial communities similar to those found on Earth could be beneficial for space stations and other enclosed environments, rather than relying on highly sanitized spaces.

Co-author of the study, Rob Knight, stressed the importance of exposing the immune system to a wide range of beneficial microbes from different sources such as soil, animals, and plants. This exposure is necessary for maintaining a healthy immune system and overall well-being, according to Knight.

However, astronaut and microbiologist Kathleen Rubins, another co-author of the study, warned about the need to strike a balance in introducing outdoor microbes into the space station environment safely to prevent the overgrowth of pathogens or fungi that could pose health risks to astronauts.

The study also noted that astronauts in space face other health challenges, such as loss of bone density and muscle wastage due to the lack of gravity. NASA has highlighted that astronauts can lose up to 1% to 2% of bone density per month in space, increasing their risk of bone fractures and early-onset osteoporosis.

In addition to physical health concerns, the psychological well-being of astronauts in space is also a critical aspect to consider. The isolated and confined environment of the space station can impact the mental health of astronauts during long-duration missions.

In conclusion, the research sheds light on the importance of microbial diversity in enclosed environments like the ISS and the potential health implications of overly clean surroundings for astronauts. Moving forward, a balance between cleanliness and microbial diversity will be essential to ensure the well-being of astronauts on future space missions.