Analysis of Particulate and Fiber Debris Samples Returned from the International Space Station

During the period of International Space Station (ISS) Increments 30 and 31, crewmember reports cited differences in the cabin environment relating to particulate matter and fiber debris compared to earlier experience as well as allergic responses to the cabin environment. It was hypothesized that a change in the cabin atmosphere’s suspended particulate matter load may be responsible for the reported situation. Samples were collected and returned to ground-based laboratories for assessment. Assessments included physical classification, optical microscopy and photographic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) methods. Particular points of interest for assessing the samples were for the presence of allergens, carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA) zeolite dust, and FGB panel fibers. The results from the physical classification, optical microscopy and photographic analysis, and SEM EDS analysis are presented and discussed.