That’s Not Hot

“In some ways, lunar dust resembles the silica dust on Earth that causes silicosis, a serious disease … it is extremely fine and abrasive, almost like powdered glass … Martian dust could be even worse. It’s not only a mechanical irritant but also perhaps a chemical poison. Mars is red because its surface is largely composed of iron oxide (rust) and oxides of other minerals. Some scientists suspect that the dusty soil on Mars may be such a strong oxidizer that it burns any organic compound such as plastics, rubber or human skin as viciously as undiluted lye or laundry bleach. “If you get Martian soil on your skin, it will leave burn marks”.

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