A new study suggests that the International Space Station (ISS) may be too clean, leading to health problems for astronauts such as immune dysfunction and skin rashes. Despite NASA’s efforts to keep the ISS clean with air filters and regular cleaning, the lack of microbial diversity on the surfaces of the ISS could be contributing to these health issues. Microbes play a crucial role in human health, and the lack of diversity on the ISS surfaces could be causing problems for the astronauts.
Samples taken from surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, dining space, and other areas on the ISS revealed a low microbial diversity compared to most buildings on Earth. The majority of the microbes found on the ISS surfaces originated from humans and building materials, with less than 0.3 percent coming from natural environmental sources like soil and water. Maintaining a diverse set of microbes in indoor environments, including the ISS, is important to prevent any one type of microbe from causing health problems, similar to how low microbial diversity in hospitals can lead to a higher risk of infection.
Studies have shown that the microbes found in our environment, including our homes, can have an impact on our health. For example, Amish communities have a lower risk of asthma compared to other communities with similar lifestyles because their household dust contains microbes from farm animals. Research suggests that exposure to a variety of microbes is beneficial for overall health, as different microbes compete for resources and space inside and outside the body.
Maintaining a healthy diversity of microbes in confined spaces like the ISS will become increasingly important as astronauts spend more time in space and new missions are planned. Scientists are exploring ways to introduce more “good germs” into these environments, such as bringing animals aboard or stocking the ISS pantry with fermented foods. Understanding the microbial composition of the ISS and other confined spaces will help scientists identify ways to improve the overall health of astronauts and future space inhabitants.
As humans continue to explore space and potentially inhabit other planets, understanding the microbial diversity of these environments will be crucial. Scientists are not only looking at what microbes are present, but also what is absent, in order to improve the health of astronauts and prevent the colonization of harmful microbes in space habitats. Research on the microbial composition of the ISS and other confined spaces will provide valuable insights into how to maintain a healthy balance of microbes in these unique environments.
In conclusion, the microbial diversity of the ISS surfaces may be contributing to health problems for astronauts, despite efforts to maintain cleanliness. Studies have shown that a lack of microbial diversity can lead to health issues, and introducing more “good germs” into confined spaces like the ISS could be beneficial for astronauts’ health. As humans continue to explore space and plan for long-duration missions, understanding and managing the microbial composition of these environments will be crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of astronauts.
