WATER STANDARDS IN RELATION TO SPACECRAFT CONTAMINANTS AND AEROSPACE MONITORING
Abstract
The types of factors in prolonged space travel (e.g., continuous exposure, reduced atmospheric pressure, gas composition, water imbalance, synergism and antagonism of constituents, etc.) that could alter the threshold limit values of contaminants are reviewed. Inhaled contaminants can add to the toxicology problems of constituents ingested in water. Various spacecraft atmospheric contaminants especially those that are water-soluble and toxic or toxicogenic are listed. Certain constituents (e.g., benzene, toluene, and the hexanes) found to be prevalent in all closed ecological systems studies thus far may serve as general indicators of environmental contamination. For monitoring water quality, a tentative quick-test water analysis check is proposed. It is assumed that if taste, color, turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids, total nitrogen (or nitrates), and the bacteria (especially the coliforms) are all within acceptable limits, the drinking water is potable. Further studies may determine specifically which constituents should be included for rapid monitoring purposes. The feasibility of incorporating chemical and biological tests into instrumentation analysis for monitoring water quality is discussed. New chemical procedures may have to be developed for this purpose. Certain biological tests (e.g., enzymatic) are now under investigation to detect many types of microorganisms within minutes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0662621
Entities
People
- Arnold R. Slonim
- Arthur J. Roth Jr
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory