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Microbiology and Crew Medical Events on the International Space StationThe closed environment of the International Space Station (ISS) creates an ideal environment for microbial growth. Previous studies have identified the ubiquitous nature of microorganisms throughout the space station environment. To ensure safety of the crew, microbial monitoring of air and surface within ISS began in December 2000 and continues to be monitored on a quarterly basis. Water monitoring began in 2009 when the potable water dispenser was installed on ISS. However, it is unknown if high microbial counts are associated with inflight medical events. The microbial counts are determined for the air, surface, and water samples collected during flight operations and samples are returned to the Microbiology laboratory at the Johnson Space Center for identification. Instances of microbial counts above the established microbial limit requirements were noted and compared inflight medical events (any non-injury event such as illness, rashes, etc.) that were reported during the same calendar-quarter. Data were analyzed using repeated measures logistic regression for the forty-one US astronauts flew on ISS between 2000 and 2012. In that time frame, instances of microbial counts being above established limits were found for 10 times for air samples, 22 times for surface samples and twice for water. Seventy-eight inflight medical events were reported among the astronauts. A three times greater risk of a medical event was found when microbial samples were found to be high (OR = 3.01; p =.007). Engineering controls, crew training, and strict microbial limits have been established to mitigate the crew medical events and environmental risks. Due to the timing issues of sampling and the samples return to earth, identification of particular microorganisms causing a particular inflight medical event is difficult. Further analyses are underway.
Document ID
20140003763
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Oubre, Cherie (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Charvat, Jacqueline M. (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Kadwa, Biniafer (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Taiym, Wafa (Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Ott, C. Mark (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Pierson, Duane (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Baalen, Mary Van (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
April 25, 2014
Publication Date
February 14, 2014
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-30024
Meeting Information
Meeting: NASA Human Research Program Investigators'' Workshop
Location: Galveston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: February 14, 2014
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association, National Space Biomedical Research Inst.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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