'Black lungs': The silent killer that could derail Elon Musk's mission to Mars

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Deadly Martian Dust

[{"selector":"#anim-393bc93b-d9ae-489b-80d7-93348a0b4e7f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-10.257004464621051%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Toxic Martian dust storms could cause lung disease, vision loss, and deadly health risks for astronauts.

Black Lung on Mars

[{"selector":"#anim-abfb02aa-a7ed-447e-a0d0-5079345cb6a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-43.64919349710876%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Scientists warn that Mars dust is similar to coal dust, increasing the risk of deadly lung diseases. Credit: NASA, JPL

NASA’s Mars Problem

[{"selector":"#anim-75b058ee-d5b0-4a9b-a4b2-85ef849fdad6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Toxic metals in Martian soil, including arsenic and chromium, could threaten future astronaut health.

Storms That Kill

[{"selector":"#anim-1d605570-f31c-4572-8b72-5820962edd68 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.41386813574152015%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Massive Martian dust storms don’t just block sunlight—they could be lethal for human explorers. Credit: NASA

No Way Home

[{"selector":"#anim-a1b64ccf-7d8f-4f04-83c8-a2410de2e87f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(23.65970956114025%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mars astronauts will face health crises with no way to return—can we prepare in time?

Dust-Proof or Doom

[{"selector":"#anim-c12d7743-7aa0-4383-be7d-1602cc3f1777 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-41.6411712677435%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] NASA must develop extreme dust protection, or Mars missions could end in disaster. Credit: NASA

Invisible Threat

[{"selector":"#anim-6f98c205-b129-4ee2-a09f-2214ccf34e01 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.998487720629974%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Martian dust particles are too fine for the human body to expel, leading to severe respiratory issues.

Radiation + Dust = Disaster

[{"selector":"#anim-3d6c2029-c282-4d22-9fd2-aa417f9bf032 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(20.843749823081005%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mars’ toxic dust and high radiation levels may combine to create severe long-term health effects.

Survival on Mars

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