Astronauts Face Health Issues Due to Over-Cleanliness on ISS

- Astronauts on the International Space Station suffer from health problems attributed to excessive hygiene, study suggests.

Health Issues on the ISS

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station experience skin rashes, allergies, and bacterial infections, possibly due to the overly sterile environment. Previous beliefs linked these symptoms to gravity changes in the station.

According to a study published in the journal Cell, the lack of microbial diversity on the ISS, primarily introduced by humans, could be a contributing factor. Scientists propose that exposure to natural microbes, akin to gardening, could strengthen the immune system.

Research involving 803 surface samples from the station revealed a dominance of human skin microbes and cleaning agents. The ISS, resembling a sterile environment like hospitals, will be decommissioned by 2030, with SpaceX tasked to return it to Earth.