Is anyone surprised that mold is tough to kill?
Is anyone surprised that mold is tough to kill?
Aspergillus Niger
Astronauts on the International Space Station are in a constant battle against mold inside their living environment and it’s toughness is a real problem.
Recently, a German microbiologist conducted a set of experiments whereby hard x-rays and heavy ions were focused on a sample of a common mold, Aspergillus Niger. In fact, the level of radiation aimed at the sample was at least 200 times the radiation dose that would kill a human.
It survived without any damage.
International Space Station
This poses a problem in space where mold grows inside the station on walls and equipment. Further, astronauts are concerned that because of its hardiness, mold may end up inadvertently hitchhiking on spacecraft that are being sent out into space to land on Mars or other planetary bodies.
And not only did it survive hard X-rays, it survived being bathed in UV light, a common method of sterilizing the exterior surfaces of spacecraft.
And what about the endlessly cold dead vacuum of space? Forget it, mold actually loves it. There’s evidence that radiation resistance actually increased when exposed to a vacuum.
Astronauts on the station go through extraordinary lengths to control and limit the transmission of mold spores, both internally and externally. And not just because mold poses a health hazard to astronauts, astronauts must follow recommended planetary protection protocols to protect against contaminating other planets. See https://sma.nasa.gov/sma-disciplines/planetary-protection to understand just how stringent cleaning and disinfection must be conducted by NASA.
Here are a few interesting links outlining the constant and ongoing battle against mold contamination on the ISS.
https://www.space.com/fungi-survive-high-dosage-radiation-iss.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/international-space-station-mould-1.5193970
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
The research touches on this, and it warns astronauts to follow recommended planetary protection protocols designed to prevent visiting spacecraft from contaminating other planets and moons in our solar system with microorganisms from Earth. The study suggests that, because of the risk of contamination, these fungal spores may need to be considered a more serious threat.
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We are a professionally licensed firm experienced in testing, verifying and removing Mold / Asbestos / Lead and other environmental contaminants as well as providing disinfection services to control and kill biological contaminants.
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