TOXICOLOGY ISSUES OF LUNAR DUST EFFECTS ON BIOLOGICAL OBJECTS (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Long-term lunar missions will require a toxicological and hygienic assessment of the biological impact of lunar dust on humans, as one of the main factors limiting the duration of human stay on the lunar surface. This review summarizes the results of scientific research aimed at studying the acute and chronic effects of lunar dust and its imitators when inhaled and intratracheally administered to animals. The analysis of the biological activity of the particles after their penetration into the respiratory tract and lung tissue was carried out. Based on the modern understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, a hypothesis was formulated for the development of toxic damage to the lungs when exposed to lunar dust: mechanical damage to the alveolar epithelium by dust particles, increased microvascular permeability, local and systemic autoimmune inflammatory reactions, activation of cytokine regulation of the inflammatory and fibroplastic process in the lungs and heart.