AIR-QUALITY ASSESSMENTS FOR 2 RECENT SPACE-SHUTTLE FLIGHTS

Degradation of air quality in the Space Shuttle environment through ch emical contamination and high solid-particulate levels may affect crew performance and health. A comprehensive study of the Shuttle atmosphe re was undertaken during the STS-40 (Spacelab Space Life Sciences 1) a nd STS-42 (Spacelab International Microgravity Laboratory 1) missions to determine the effectiveness of contaminant control procedures by me asuring concentrations of volatile organic compounds and analyzing par ticulate matter trapped on air filters. Analysis of volatile contamina nts showed that the air was toxicologically safe to breathe during bot h missions with the exception of one period during STS-40 when the Orb iter Refrigerator/Freezer was releasing noxious gases into the middeck . Chemical analyses of selected particles collected on air filters fac ilitated their positive identification. Trace amounts of rat hair and food particles were found in the STS-40 Spacelab filters; a trace amou nt of soilless plant-growth media was detected in the STS-42 Spacelab filter. The low levels of particles released from these Spacelab exper iments indicate that containment measures were effective.