UA Physicians to Examine Biospherians as they Exit Biosphere 2, Report on Health

A medical team headed by Biosphere 2 Medical Consultant Dr. Harvey Meislin has been organized to closely monitor the Biospnenans when they reenter Earth's atmosphere on September 26. Dr. Meislin is Professor and Chief, Section of Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

After emerging from Biosphere 2 on the morning of Sunday, September 26, the Biospherians will begin a process of becoming re-acclimated with sun, food and environmental stresses they haven't experienced for the last two years. These factors probably won't affect their health after exiting Biosphere 9 according to Dr. Meislin.

Dr. Meislin and his team have devised a three day reentry process that will give the medical staff and will allow the medical staff to observe and collect data on the Biospherians.

The medical team will be concerned about:

• Immunology—it is likely that the crew members will be susceptible to viral infections.
  
• Ultraviolet radiation -The Biospherians have not been exposed to UV radiation for two years and will be vulnerable to skin damage.
  
• Diet—A rapid change in diet could have a significant effect on blood chemistries, blood lipids and metabolism. This must be caretully monitored.
  
• Alcohol—The medical team will urge the crew to ingest alcohol in moderation.
  
• Psychological Stress—Stress associated with reintroduction to society friends, family and pressures related to demands of the news media will be overwhelming in the opinion of the medical team. The stress factor is a major concem.

In addition to Dr. Meislin, medical team members are: Dr. Sam Keim, Assistant Professor, Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine; and Ron Benoit, Director of Emergency Health Informatics, Arizona Emergency Medicine Research Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine.