| Title: | Acute and chronic exposure to CO2 : general overview |
| Authors: | Nicholas J. Yee, Author |
| Material Type: | ISU Individual Project |
| Publisher: | Illkirch-Graffenstaden (France) : International Space University, 2017 |
| Format: | 1 electronic resource (39 p.) / col. ill. |
| Bibliography note: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Languages: | English |
| Description: |
Human spaceflight involves multiple factors that increase astronaut occupational health risks. Recent complaints about the loss in visual acuity and the prevalence of headaches after long duration missions is concerning. Research into the different factors, such as elevated carbon dioxide (𝐶𝑂2), are being evaluated for their physiological effects. After summarizing the findings in spaceflight and analog environments, it is clear that 𝐶𝑂2 level on the International Space Station (ISS) affects
cerebrovascular blood flow and likely plays a significant role in elevating intracranial pressure. However, there are conflicting results about intraocular pressure. At the current ISS atmospheric partial pressures of roughly 0.5%, few behavior or performance issues is expected. But studies in spaceflight analog environments show that severely elevated 𝐶𝑂2 concentrations above 10% leads to life-threatening symptoms. The current 𝐶𝑂2 removal systems are useful but new technology is necessary to bring the levels down to 0.05%, which is roughly the 𝐶𝑂2 concentration on Earth. Research continues to generate useful explanations that will keep human spaceflight affordable and astronauts healthy until lightweight and miniaturized 𝐶𝑂2 management systems reach flight maturity. |
| ISU program : | Master of Space Studies |
| Format : | Online |
| Permalink: | https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=10178 |
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 Yee, Nicholas J._IPR (1.08MB) Adobe Acrobat PDF |
