NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

Relevant Technical 

Requirements

Lunar Dust

OCHMO-TB-011

Rev C 

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1, Rev C

[V1 3004] In-Mission Medical Care

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis

[V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and 

Alerting

[V2 6051] Water Contamination Control

[V2 6053] Lunar Dust Contamination

[V2 6061] Environment Cross-Contamination

[V2 6063] Contamination Cleanup

[V2 6109] Water Quantity

[V2 6153] Celestial Dust Monitoring

[V2 7043] Medical Capability

[V2 7080] Particulate Control

[V2 7082] Surface Material Cleaning

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation

[V2 9053] Protective Equipment

[V2 11126] Suit Materials Cleanability 

Executive Summary

Lunar dust exposure during the Apollo missions has 

provided insight and many years of research of an 

extraterrestrial environment that has not been 

visited by humans since 1972. Due to the unique 

properties of lunar dust (and other celestial 

bodies), there is a possibility that exposure could 

lead to serious health effects (e.g., respiratory, 

cardiopulmonary, ocular, or dermal harm) to the 

crew or impact crew performance during celestial 

body missions. Limits have been established based 

largely on detailed peer-reviewed studies 

completed by the Lunar Airborne Dust Toxicity 

Advisory Group (LADTAG). Research on lunar dust 

is ongoing, and emergent considerations (e.g., the 

presence of toxic volatiles in permanently 

shadowed regions, allergenic potential of dust) will 

be appropriately addressed as the risk is more 

clearly understood. The role of dust mitigation and 

monitoring is also highlighted here, as these 

contribute to the ability to characterize crew 

exposures and minimize risk.

Source: The Lunar Regolith
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

Recommendations from Crew:

Protect the suit zipper function. The lunar dust was 

difficult to clear from the zipper and impaired normal 

function on each subsequent lunar EVA for some missions. 

The abrasive nature of the dust scored the metal 

connections, primarily circumferentially on the bearing 

surfaces. The lunar dust exposure did not result in a breach 

of the sealing capability of the suit, however repeated 

exposures may increase this risk.

Provide an airlock for ingress/egress. Designing an airlock 

to separate the vehicle hatch from the habitation area 

could decrease the risk of tracking lunar dust into the lunar 

module.

Have the ability to clean body and rinse eyes/nasal 

passages of dust. The lunar dust was ubiquitous in the 

vehicle cabin and was very difficult to clear from the 

hands. In each case, ocular irritation occurred that 

required copious saline irrigation to treat. 

Medication availability. Nasal congestion was experienced 

by most crewmembers, and was attributed to the 100% O2

environment, dust, and viral exposures preflight. Actifed 

was used and provided moderate relief. Lunar crews stated 

that symptoms resolved on lunar surface after initial 

exposure to dust only to return when reentering the crew 

module as the particulates floated throughout the cabin in 

microgravity.

Design an efficient method for clearing the lunar dust 

from the vehicle cabin. Lunar dust particles floated 

everywhere in the lunar module upon return to 

microgravity. Dust particles floated into crewmembers’ 

eyes, nose, and lungs, which prompted the Apollo 12 crew 

to keep their helmets on prior to docking with the crew 

service module. The dust did not appear to be filtered 

from the environment through ventilation/LiOH system 

although the vacuum cleaner that was used beginning with 

Apollo 14 seemed to help clear the larger particles.

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Rev C 2

Risks and Hazards Associated with Lunar 

Dust Exposure:

Medical impact

• Eye irritant

• Abrasive to the skin

• Pulmonary system toxicity

• Possible allergenic effects (research 

pending)

Habitat environment

• Atmospheric contaminant

• Equipment contamination 

• EVA Ops

Lunar Dust Characteristics

• Range from ~0.02 μm -10 μm

• Predominantly 0.02-5 μm. 

• 95% <2 μm in diameter. 40% <0.1 μm.

• 0.1-0.3 μm is a prevailing fraction

• Smaller particles are the most deeply 

respirable and potentially impactful on 

crew health, although they represent a 

minimal mass fraction.
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Background

Dust Morphology – Most lunar dust particles show sub-angular 

to angular shapes with sharp edges. There are four prominent 

shapes: 1) spherical; 2) angular blocks; 3) glass shards; and 4) 

irregular (ropey or Swiss-cheese). In particular, submicron

bubbles and cracks are present in most grains. This causes a 

multiplication of the reactivation surface area.

• Similar to volcanic ash – Arizona volcanic ash is used as 

a simulant

• Fine/Ultrafine particles that range from ~0.02 to 10 

microns with 95% less than 2 microns

• Particles 10 μm and below are expected to be 

readily entrained and aerosolized in the cabin 

airflow

Regolith Composition – The prime constituents are 

aluminosilicate and other silicate minerals that make up 90 

percent by volume of lunar rocks. There are varying amounts, 

typically low, of Crystalline Silica (free SiO2) minerals, Quartz, 

Tridymite, Cristobalite, which have higher toxicity, lower exposure 

levels and are highly regulated in terrestrial (earth) environment. 

Very location and mineralogy/geology dependent. 

The lunar rock or soil is also comprised of up to 20 percent of 

various oxides that can potentially be tapped for oxygen 

extraction.

• Silicone dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), 

aluminum oxide (Al2O3), iron(II) oxide (FeO), 

magnesium oxide (MgO), and calcium oxide (CaO)

• Volatiles at the poles, which are not completely 

understood or characterized on the toxicity to humans

Lunar Surface –

Mare – volcanic, basaltic areas that are relatively flat with 

few craters

Highlands – primary crust, anorthositic that is heavily 

cratered and rough

Behavior – Has an electrostatic charge due to the FeO, as well as 

possible surface reactivity from solar wind, solar flares, galactic 

cosmic rays, micrometeoroids, large thermal cycles, and ultrahigh 

vacuum.

3

Source: Micro-Morphology and Toxicological Effects 

of Lunar Dust

Source: Lunar Dust Effects on Spacesuit Systems

Source: Park et al, 2008 Characterization of 

Lunar Dust for Toxicological Studies: Particle 

Size Distribution

11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Human Health Studies – includes various intratracheal and inhalation exposures via in vitro and in vivo 

studies, as well as abrasive studies to determine impact to the skin and eyes. Additional research is 

needed to understand surface reactivity, acute toxicity, and cardiovascular risks.

Apollo experience provided limited evidence that lunar dust was a potential health concern but was 

clearly a dust management challenge for other spacecraft systems. The short-term nature of Apollo 

precluded firmer health conclusions based on that experience alone.

From 2005-2013 NASA invested significant research and risk assessment effort (Lunar Airborne Dust 

Toxicity Advisory Group, LADTAG) to develop toxicity guidelines that could be applied in 

controlling/assessing crew lunar dust exposures. External/Internal experts formed the team, which 

included toxicological, geological, chemical, and risk assessment experts.

LADTAG employed standard rodent toxicity testing with actual lunar dust (Apollo 14), along with known 

mineral dusts (positive/negative controls) for comparison. Exposures were conducted 6 hrs/day, 5 days, 

week, over a 4-week period. 

Lung inflammation, septal thickening, and other signs of respiratory system toxic challenge were seen in 

rodents exposed to lunar dust, with negative consequences increasing with exposed dose. These are the 

same types of effects that could occur in spaceflight crew if lunar dust were not properly controlled. 

Results showed that lunar dust was moderately toxic, in comparison with other reference dusts. 

Standard risk assessment procedures were following in extrapolating the LADTAG rodent findings to 

protect crew exposures during intermittent dust exposures over an assumed 6-month mission. LADTAG 

determined that lunar dust would adhere to “Haber’s Rule” (which states that concentration and 

allowable exposure duration are proportionally and inversely related). This assumption allows for 

expression of equivalent risk for other exposure durations and conditions (e.g., continuous exposure 

scenario) that may be more relevant to the specific lunar mission under evaluation (e.g., 7-day or 30-day 

mission exposure scenarios). 

Reference Data

4

A7-L Pressure Suit 

with lunar dust, 

Apollo 11 

11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Adherence to the exposure limit will minimize adverse impacts to the crew respiratory system, which is 

believed to be the most sensitive aspect of lunar dust exposures from a health perspective. Risk of eye 

abrasion and skin irritation (e.g., EVA gloves, under fingernails) are relevant to lunar dust, but are handled 

by other overarching operational controls and assessment procedures. Research is ongoing on lunar dust, 

including on other adverse health effects such as its allergenic potential. 

The selection of Apollo 14 regolith was strategic and was intended to allow the toxicity study findings to 

be as broadly applicable to other lunar landing locations as possible. Thus, it is acceptable to apply this 

standard when assessing surface dust exposure at the lunar south pole without incorporating additional 

conservatism.

Relatively recent findings have suggested that some lunar samples may contain toxic volatile constituents 

(e.g., hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercury) that are trapped in lunar polar ice. These are not expected to 

be relevant to normal regolith encountered by the crew and are not expected to be carried back into a 

habitable volume as part of the lunar dust matrix. Inadvertent releases resulting from strategic samples 

(e.g., subsurface samples, permanently-shadowed regions) can be a very real concern but are mitigated 

through proper containment and are handled separately from this particular lunar dust standard.

Risk to the crew respiratory system is best reflected by average exposures to lunar dust, and time to effect 

are generally on the order to weeks to months of exposure under most circumstances relevant to lunar 

missions. Thus, acute limits for lunar dust are not being set at this time. Limiting peak exposures may be 

key in controlling long-term lunar dust averages, however. Peak exposures can also be mitigated through 

operational controls (e.g., temporary dust masks, goggles) that may be used to preclude superficial 

physiological responses (e.g., eye irritation, sneezing) to liberate lunar dust particles (or another general 

particulate).

Reference Data

5

Gene Cernan 

covered in dust 

following EVA. Note 

the presence of 

dust on suit and 

other surfaces. 

[V2 6053] Lunar Dust Contamination The system shall limit the levels of lunar dust 

particles less than 10 μm in size in the habitable atmosphere below a timeweighted average of 0.3 mg/m3 during intermittent daily exposure periods that 

may persist up to 6 months in duration.

From: NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

Risk of Adverse 

Health and 

Performance 

Effects of Celestial 

Dust Exposure

11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Application

Monitoring

Dust monitoring is key in assessment and tracking of crew 

exposure levels for lunar dust, and to inform any medical 

responses or anomaly resolution activities during a mission. 

This data is also used post-mission to provide an 

occupational exposure record. Additionally, lunar dust 

monitoring provides verification and optimization of 

controls, and in providing objective measurement data for 

maturation of mitigation concepts.

There are available commercial particulate monitoring 

technologies that can likely be employed (with minimal 

spaceflight adaptations) to provide inflight measurement 

data. Necessary data will include the particle sizes of the 

dust and the mass concentration that are used to 

demonstrate attainment of the health-based standard. Dust 

monitoring is likely to be needed situationally (e.g., 

assessing cabin clearing after EVA introduction, anomaly 

assessment), rather than as a continuous monitored 

environmental parameter. 

6

Design Testing and Mitigation of Dust

Crew Health

• Medical supplies – eye wash, allergy 

medications, etc.1,2

• Personal hygiene supplies –

cleansing products, water, towels, 

etc.

Habitable Area

• Cleaning materials – vacuum, ability 

to wipe/remove dust from surfaces

• Equipment interactions – antistatic 

capabilities, etc.

Air Filtration/Environmental Control Life 

Support System (ECLSS)3

• Flow rate

• Particle size removal – HEPA 

filtration or similar, etc.

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Operations

• Interactions with dust

• Mechanisms of dust transport

Post-EVA Activities

• Suit cleaning before/after vehicle entry

• Suit stowage

Suit Design 

• Joints/mechanisms

• Entry method

• Outer material

• Ability to be cleaned and methods for cleaning

Rover Design4

• Wheel traction

• Fenders

Stowage 

• Location of suit post-EVA

• Collected dust and regolith

ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers uses a 

vacuum cleaner during housekeeping 

operations on the ISS

[V2 6153] Celestial Dust Monitoring 

and Alerting The vehicle shall monitor 

celestial dust and alert the crew locally 

and remotely when they are 

approaching defined limits.

From: NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2, Rev D

1. Pharmaceuticals and Medications Technical Brief

2. Medical Care Technical Brief

3. ECLSS Technical Brief

4. Extraterrestrial Surface Transport Vehicles Technical Brief

11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Back-Up

7 11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Rev B  Rev C

• Updated information to reflect the revisions to language 

throughout both volumes of NASA-STD-3001.

• Updated/added website links due to new NASA website 

launch

Rev A  Rev B

• Updated entire slide deck to new formatting.

• Added details to Slide 4 on regolith

Original  Rev A

• Updated information to be consistent with NASA-STD-3001 

Volume 1 Rev B and Volume 2 Rev C.

Major Changes Between Revisions

8 11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 1 Revision C

[V1 3003] In-Mission Preventive Health Care All programs shall provide training, in-mission medical capabilities, and 

resources to diagnose and treat potential medical conditions based on epidemiological evidence-based PRA, 

individual crewmember needs, clinical practice guidelines, flight surgeon expertise, historical review, mission 

parameters, and vehicle-derived limitations. These analyses consider the needs and limitations of each specific 

vehicle and design reference mission (DRM) with particular attention to parameters such as mission duration, 

expected return time to Earth, mission route and destination, expected radiation profile, concept of operations, and 

more. In-mission capabilities (including hardware and software), resources (including consumables), and training to 

enable in-mission medical care, and behavioral care, are to include, but are not limited to: (see NASA-STD-3001, 

Volume 1 Rev C for full standard).

NASA-STD-3001 Volume 2 Revision D

[V2 3006] Human-Centered Task Analysis Each human spaceflight program or project shall perform a humancentered task analysis to support systems and operations design. 

[V2 6023] Trace Constituent Monitoring and Alerting The system shall monitor trace volatile organic compounds 

(VOCs) in the cabin atmosphere and alert the crew locally and remotely when they are approaching defined limits.

[V2 6051] Water Contamination Control The system shall prevent potable and hygiene water supply contamination 

from microbial, atmospheric (including dust), chemical, and non-potable water sources to ensure that potable and 

hygiene water are provided. 

[V2 6053] Lunar Dust Contamination The system shall limit the levels of lunar dust particles less than 10 μm in size in 

the habitable atmosphere below a time-weighted average of 0.3 mg/m3 during intermittent daily exposure periods 

that may persist up to 6 months in duration.

[V2 6061] Environment Cross-Contamination The system shall provide controls to prevent or minimize (as 

appropriate) biological cross-contamination between crew, payloads and vehicles to acceptable levels in accordance 

with the biosafety levels (BSL) defined in JPR-1800.5, as well between crew, payloads, vehicles and extraterrestrial 

planetary environments with the extent of application specific to individual planetary bodies and special locations 

thereon. 

[V2 6063] Contamination Cleanup The system shall provide a means to remove or isolate released chemical and 

biological contaminants and to return the environment to a safe condition. 

[V2 6153] Celestial Dust Monitoring and Alerting The vehicle shall monitor celestial dust and alert the crew locally 

and remotely when they are approaching defined limits.

[V2 7043] Medical Capability A medical system shall be provided to the crew to meet the medical requirements of 

NASA-STD-3001, Volume 1.

[V2 7080] Particulate Control The system shall be designed for access, inspection, and removal of particulates that 

can be present before launch or that can result from mission operations.

[V2 7082] Surface Material Cleaning The system shall contain surface materials that can be easily cleaned and 

sanitized using planned cleaning methods.

[V2 8001] Volume Allocation The system shall provide the defined habitable volume and layout to physically 

accommodate crew operations and living.

[V2 9053] Protective Equipment Protective equipment shall be provided to protect the crew from expected hazards.

[V2 11126] Suit Materials Cleanability The suit materials (internally and externally) shall be compatible with the 

expected cleaning materials and methods.

Referenced Technical Requirements

9

View the current versions of NASA-STD3001 Volume 1 & Volume 2 on the 

OCHMO Standards website

11/28/2023

Rev C
NASA-STD-3001 Technical Brief

OCHMO-TB-011 Lunar Dust

NASA Office of the Chief Health & Medical Officer (OCHMO)

This Technical Brief is derived from NASA-STD-3001 and is for reference only.

It does not supersede or waive existing Agency, Program, or Contract requirements.

Reference List

1. Natural Environments Definition for Design. (2016). NASA Technical Reports Server Technical Memorandum218229.

2. Agui JH and Stocker DP. NASA Lunar Dust Filtration and Separations Workshop Report. National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration, Glenn Research Center. December 2009. TM-2009-215821.

3. Anderton R, Posselt B, Komorowski M, Hodkinson P. (2019). Medical considerations for a return to the Moon. 

Occupational Medicine, 69: 311–313.

4. Geotechnical Properties of Lunar Soil. (2005). Lunar Geotechnical Institute, Lakeland, FL. 

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/surface/carrier_lunar_soils.pdf

5. Khan-Mayberry N. (2008). The lunar environment: Determining the health effects of exposure to moon dusts. 

Acta Astronautica, 63. 

6. Lam C, Scully RR, Zhang Y, Renne RA, Hunter RL, McCluskey RA, Chen BT, Castranova V, Driscoll KE, Gardner DE, 

McClellan RO, Cooper BL, McKay DS, Marshall L, and James JT. (2013). Toxicity of lunar dust assessed in 

inhalation-exposed rats. Inhalation Toxicology, 25(12): 1–18.

7. Lunar Dust Effects on Spacesuit Systems. (2008). NASA/TP-2008-000000. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090015239.pdf

8. Lunar Exploration Initiative: Parameters of Lunar Soils. (2006). David A. Kring. 

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/kring/lunar_exploration/briefings/lunar_soil_physical_properties.pdf

9. Lunar Regolith. (2003). NASA Lunar Petrographic Educational Thin Section Set. 

https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/letss/regolith.pdf

10. Lunar Sourcebook, Chapter 7: The Lunar Regolith. David S. McKay, Grant Heiken, Abhijit Basu, George Blanford, 

Steven Simon, Robert Reedy, Bevan M. French, and James Papike. 

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/books/lunar_sourcebook/pdf/Chapter07.pdf

11. Meyers VE, Garcia HD, Monds K, Cooper BL and James JT. (2012). Ocular toxicity of authentic lunar dust. BMC 

Ophthalmology, 12: 26.

12. Park JS, Lui Y, Kihm KD, Taylor LA. (2006). Micro-Morphology and Toxicological Effects of Lunar Dust. Lunar and 

Planetary Science XXXVII. https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2006/pdf/2193.pdf

13. Scully RR, Lam C and James JT. (2013). Estimating safe human exposure levels for lunar dust using benchmark 

dose modeling of data from inhalation studies in rats. Inhalation Toxicology, 25(14): 785-93.

14. Stubbs TJ, Vondrak RR and Farrell WM. (2005). A Dynamic Fountain Model for Lunar Dust. Lunar and Planetary 

Science XXXVI. https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2005/pdf/1899.pdf

15. The Apollo Experience Lessons Learned for Constellation Lunar Dust Management. (2006). NASA/TP-2006-

213726. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/TP-2006-213726.pdf

16. The Apollo Medical Operations Project: Recommendations to Improve Crew Health and Performance for Future 

Exploration Missions and Lunar Surface Operations. (2007). NASA/TM-2007-214755. Lyndon B. Johnson Space 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20070030109.pdf 

17. The Effects of Lunar Dust on EVA Systems During the Apollo Missions. (2005). NASA/TM—2005-213610. Glenn 

Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/TM-2005-

213610.pdf 

18. Updates to the Risk of Adverse Health and Performance Effects of Celestial Dust Exposure. (2019). Human 

Systems Risk Board CR-SA-01787. NASA. 

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