All 12 Apollo astronauts who walked on the Moon suffered from "lunar hay fever" when lunar dust clung to their spacesuits. The sharp, abrasive particles caused sore throats, watery eyes, and nasal congestion, with reactions sometimes taking days to subside. This persistent lunar dust carried a distinctive smell of burnt gunpowder and posed significant health concerns for future space exploration.

Lunar dust contains silicate minerals that miners on Earth know can inflame and scar lung tissue. The low gravity environment allows these particles to remain suspended longer and penetrate deeper into the respiratory system. European Space Agency researchers now study lunar dust toxicity using simulants from a volcanic region in Germany, testing its effects on equipment and human health.

The dust's jagged edges and electrostatic charge make it particularly problematic, as it can levitate above the lunar surface and infiltrate equipment. Despite challenges in handling the special lunar simulant, researchers note potential benefits like using heated lunar soil for building bricks and extracting oxygen for astronaut habitats. ESA's current research aims to determine safe exposure levels before humanity's return to the Moon.