[Toxicologic evaluation of the space shuttle "Columbia"].

Atmospheric contamination of spacecraft crew cabins has been a toxicological concern since this country began its efforts in manned space flight (1). Procedures have been developed and utilized for determining the identities and quantities of contaminant gases present in the crew cabin environment. Methods have also been developed for assessing and controlling the trace gas contaminant buildup within the closed environment of spacecraft cabins. Although nearly one hundred contaminant gases have been detected in the Shuttle crew cabin, for the most part, the concentrations of these gases have been maintained below a toxicity hazard level.