Proving EpiPen Is Toxic in Space, Group of Canadian Elementary School Students Teach NASA a Lesson

A group of elementary school students in Canada recently criticized US space agency NASA when it discovered the life-saving EpiPen could become toxic once launched into space.

Students in the Program for Gifted Students (PGL) of St. Brother André in Ottawa, Canada studies the effects of cosmic radiation on humans epinephrine, active ingredient contained in EpiPensemergency treatment given in case of severe allergic reactions.

EpiPen, a pen containing the active ingredient epinephrine for emergency treatments in space

EpiPen, a pen containing the active ingredient epinephrine for emergency treatments in space

NASA chose to be part of the student experience Cubes in spacea global STEM program specifically aimed at school-age children.

For this program, students ages 9 to 12 designed an experiment in which samples of epinephrine were placed in a pen-like object and sent to the edge of space via a high-altitude balloon or rocket. Back on Earth.

Researchers at the University of Ottawa’s mass spectrometry facility tested the samples and found that only 87% contained pure epinephrine, while the remaining 13% had been converted to derivatives. benzoic axis extremely toxic, according to a press release from the University of Ottawa.

Cosmic radiation is made up of very high energy particles released by stars, including Earth. According to NASA, Earth’s atmosphere largely protects life on Earth from this radiation, but astronauts exposed to cosmic rays for long periods face significant health risks, including radiation sickness and an increased risk of cancer and other diseases throughout life.

Cosmic radiation also shows obvious effects on chemicals such as epinephrine, said Paul Mayer, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Ottawa.

He added: “The samples showed signs of epinephrine reaction and degradation. In fact, no epinephrine was found in the EpiPen solution samples. This result raises questions about the effectiveness of the EpiPen against applications spatial and these questions are now beginning to be addressed by students in the PGL program.

Although benzoic acid occurs naturally in a number of plants, including cranberries, plums, and cinnamon, and is commonly used as a food preservative, the U.S. National Institutes of Health classifies this compound as colorless as “health risk” when consumed in large doses.

This group of students is currently designing a rocket to protect EpiPens in space. In June, the children will arrive Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, USA, to present his findings to NASA.

Article source: Tien Phong