Chemical and biological substances decontamination study for human Mars missions and terrestrial applications

Based on the outcomes of the environmental risk analysis, this activity will focus on biological and chemical contamination. Its objectives will be to identify the needs in decontamination for a human mission to Mars, to identify synergies with Earth activities and to obtain solutions for the decontamination from chemical and biological substances. This activity is closely related to planetary protection issues.

The following issues shall be studied:

• EVA suit decontamination,
• Human skin decontamination: rapid decontamination of exposed skin,
• Decontamination of hard surfaces: various hard surfaces have to be treated when a habitat has been contaminated.
• Decontamination waste: treatment of waste products from the decontamination activities.

The activity will specifically perform the following work:

• Criteria enabling the selection of decontamination strategy,
• Study of existing decontamination means,
• Recommendations for EVA suit decontamination,
• Recommendations for skin decontamination,
• Recommendations for hard surface decontamination,
• Recommendations for the recycling or treatment of waste products of EVA suit, skin and hard surface decontamination.