Gifted Students Help NASA Uncover Deadly Effects of Space Radiation on EpiPens
Elementary school students have found that EpiPens can turn poisonous in space due to the effects of cosmic radiation during space travel.
The students collaborated with researchers from the University of Ottawa to investigate whether the devices could be safely used in space.
The epinephrine in the EpiPens broke down due to relatively small amounts of space radiation, instead of being a lifesaver, it acts like a health hazard.
This discovery was previously unknown to NASA and could have long term effects on how we treat allergic reactions in space.
The epinephrine in the EpiPens broke down due to relatively small amounts of space radiation, instead of being a lifesaver, it acts like a health hazard.
This discovery was previously unknown to NASA and could have long term effects on how we treat allergic reactions in space.
St. Brother André Elementary School's Program for Gifted Learners (PGL) got samples of epinephrine launched into space as part of NASA's Cubes in Space program.
The University of Ottawa's Faculty of Science analyzed the returned samples and discovered that the epinephrine was only 87 percent pure due to cosmic radiation.
The remaining 13 percent was converted into benzoic acid derivatives, which are highly poisonous.
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