In Simulation, Moon Dust Found to Be Toxic to Humans - Polidicks

[QUOTE]Because we don't spend a large chunk of time up there, we haven't done too much research on the long-term health effects of living on the moon. But a paper titled "Toxicity of Lunar Dust," covering several aspects of the effects of moon dust on the human body, offers some insight: the moon is basically trying to kill you. Not actively, of course, but there are a lot of reasons to avoid the stuff (and no, a spacesuit isn't going to save you). The big problem is inhalation; even with a suit, dust can end up back in suit-free living spaces. Then the dust can travel inside travelers' lungs, causing inflammation and possibly, asbestos-style, even increasing the risk of developing cancer. The particles might be able to travel through the lungs more easily in the lower gravity environment, and exposure to UV and proton radiation could make the dust even more toxic. But not to worry, there are still other ways it could hurt you. Without eroding the same way as soil on Earth, the rocky residue can be sharp, even occasionally coated in a glassy shell, causing skin irritation if you touch it. That's especially bad news for your eyes. Researchers add a caveat for all this: it's only an approximation based on simulated dust particles, as they don't have samples that have been reliably kept in a lunar environment. But just in case, if you make a visit any time soon, exercise caution.[/quote] Source: [url]http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-07/cancel-your-trip-moon-dust-officially-toxic[/url]

So I assume that applies to moon gel as well? RIP Cave Johnson.

its dust, it would make sense that dust exposed to the harsh environment (or lack thereof) of space would not only choke you but also poison you.

[QUOTE=BenJammin';36742218]So I assume that applies to moon gel as well? RIP Cave Johnson.[/QUOTE] it wasn't moon gel that did him in, it was just the dust.

[QUOTE=BenJammin';36742218]So I assume that applies to moon gel as well? RIP Cave Johnson.[/QUOTE] Well they do mention it ingame.

No need to prove that. Astronauts who stepped on the moon sometimes brought some accidentally into their module, and they suffered some pretty bad headaches.

Makes sense it could cause cancer. Thin atmosphere means moon dust is receiving a lot more cosmic radiation than we're used to

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;36742315]Makes sense it could cause cancer. Thin atmosphere means moon dust is receiving a lot more cosmic radiation than we're used to[/QUOTE] Apparently everything causes cancer remember?

So would this likely rule out plans to make settlements out of mooncrete? Edit: I'm not kidding, some people actually considered using them to build settlements on the moon. Now it just makes me thing it'd be like making a building with 100% pure asbestos. Why is it funny? :(

[QUOTE=JohnnyMo1;36742315]Makes sense it could cause cancer. Thin atmosphere means moon dust is receiving a lot more cosmic radiation than we're used to[/QUOTE] Pretty sure cosmic radiation just turns you into the fantastic four.

[QUOTE=papaya;36742250]its dust, it would make sense that dust exposed to the harsh environment (or lack thereof) of space would not only choke you but also poison you.[/QUOTE] that plus, wouldn't it, since the moon has little atmosphere, be caked in radiation and space garbage? Radioactive dust mudding your lungs out sounds like an obvious quick death. [editline]12th July 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=itak365;36742381]So would this likely rule out plans to make settlements out of mooncrete? Edit: I'm not kidding, some people actually considered using them to build settlements on the moon. Now it just makes me thing it'd be like making a building with 100% pure asbestos.[/QUOTE] it'll need a shit load of flooring made of concrete and moon dust

We'll just have to beat the dust into submission until it surrenders and promises not to terrorize American citizens anymore like the jackasses the dust particles are. [QUOTE=J!NX;36742499]Radioactive dust mudding your lungs out sounds like an obvious quick death.[/QUOTE] Russians have already come up with the solution. This isn't rocket science, guys. [IMG]http://images.wikia.com/stalker/images/3/38/SHOC_Vodka_World_Model.png[/IMG]

The article isn't saying that because the dust is exposed to radiation it's more dangerous - it's saying that the dust coupled with radiation exposure would likely cause cancer. This seems like a common sense thing to me, breathing in ultra-fine particles of sediment couldn't be good for the lungs

Easiest soloution would just be to have the suit go through a water spray int he airlock before the person gets out of it. Saturating it with moisture would make it much less likely to be breathed in.

Sometimes I feel like we're never getting off this planet, and if we do, there's gonna be a lot of dead bodies and sick people that are going to pave the way to advances that finally make space travel safe. You didn't cross the Atlantic in the comfort of a cruise ship the first time. It took a lot of trial and lost souls to reach this point.

[QUOTE=spkypwnsuall;36742354]Apparently everything causes cancer remember?[/QUOTE] What if everything causes cancer because everything makes your cells mutate to adapt and thus increasing the chances of a wrongly done mutation ending up as cancer cells???

Isn't it also extremely abrasive? I read somewhere that on past trips to the surface, it almost wore holes in parts of the suit.

[QUOTE=BenJammin';36742218]So I assume that applies to moon gel as well? RIP Cave Johnson.[/QUOTE] He were bloody right, weren't he; moon rocks ARE pure poison. In this case, it's essentially radioactive powdered asbestos. I sure as hell ain't going to the Moon, I think i'll wait until we go to Mars; the sands of that red rock are essentially just rust.

i am awaiting the results of the research regarding the harmful effects of lemons on humans.

Regolith, the stuff the Moon is covered in, is basically finely ground asbestos so this doesn't surprise me the least.

[QUOTE=raviool;36743270]i am awaiting the results of the research regarding the harmful effects of lemons on humans.[/QUOTE] cancer

[QUOTE=raviool;36743270]i am awaiting the results of the research regarding the harmful effects of lemons on humans.[/QUOTE] spontaneous combustion the lab guys assure me its definitely spontaneous.

[QUOTE]the moon is basically trying to kill you.[/QUOTE] Sensational!

[QUOTE=Fahrenheit;36742841]and if we do, there's gonna be a lot of dead bodies and sick people that are going to pave the way to advances that finally make space travel safe.[/QUOTE] That's pretty much the norm when colonizing new worlds as you said. I can almost guarantee someones going to die a horrible death on our voyages to colonize space.

[QUOTE=Mr. Smartass;36742262]it wasn't moon gel that did him in, it was just the dust.[/QUOTE] I thought it was the asbestos from the 50s spheres. He did mention that it takes 30 years or so for asbestos poisoning to kick in.

Well at least it's not spider rocks.

Portal 2 predicted science. Awesome.

[QUOTE=Lizzrd;36743001]What if everything causes cancer because everything makes your cells mutate to adapt and thus increasing the chances of a wrongly done mutation ending up as cancer cells???[/QUOTE] That's not how evolution works at all. Cells can't just decide to adapt or choose what mutation they want.

[QUOTE=BenJammin';36742218]So I assume that applies to moon gel as well? RIP Cave Johnson.[/QUOTE] Given that Cave Johnson canonically died due to poisoning from all the moon dust, yeah.

I thought we already knew this?