It is important to understand the long-term consequences of lunar dust inhalation to prepare for the upcoming Artemis mission, the first lunar mission in over 50 years. We measured the dissolution time of a micrometer diameter inhaled olivine particle, a common mineral found in lunar dust, at approximately 24 years. As a result, any particles that are not able to be expelled by the human respiratory system will remain present for many years. Spectroscopic measurements and geochemical models indicate the potential for inhaled olivine to dissolve and then precipitate secondary mineral phases including but not limited to amorphous silica, ferrihydrite, and asbestos-like minerals. These minerals can then remain in the human lungs for longer than the typical human lifespan. Olivine was observed to generate reactive oxidizing compounds in simulated lung fluid which indicates the ability for olivine to induce potential short-term damage upon contact with human lung fluid. Our work highlights the ability of lunar dust, which contains olivine, to induce both potential short- and long-term health effects. This work also highlights the importance in investigating not only the effects of lunar dust on humans but also the need for the continued development of lunar dust mitigation technology.

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