Elevated CO2 Levels on the ISS: Unmasking a Hidden Risk of DNA Damage for Astronauts

While DNA damage caused by space radiation exposure has long been recognized as a major threat to astronaut health, a recent study published in Redox Biology (Stolc et al., 2024) reveals an unexpected culprit in the atmosphere of the International Space Station (ISS) itself: elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. In this study, mice were sent into space where they spent 5–6 week aboard the ISS.