Oxygen
Basic information
- Oxygen is a gas.
- Oxygen has the atomic number 8.
- Its chemical symbol is O
- At standard temperature and pressure, oxygen is a colorless,
odorless gas with the molecular formula O2
- As a gas, oxygen is clear. But as a liquid, it's pale blue
- Oxygen is a nonmetal
- Water (H2O), or hydrogen oxide is the most familiar oxygencontaining compound.
- By mass, oxygen is the third-most abundant element in the
universe, after hydrogen and helium
- Oxygen is an important part of the atmosphere, and is necessary
to sustain most terrestrial life as it is used in respiration.
- Almost half of the weight of the Earth’s crust is made of oxygen
- Oxygen is the most abundant chemical element by mass in the
Earth’s biosphere, air, sea, and land
- Almost two-thirds of the weight of living things comes from
oxygen, mainly because living things contain a lot of water and
88.9 percent of water’s weight comes from oxygen
- It does not burn. Oxygen will not explode but supports
combustion. So heat or a spark is needed to trigger the
combustion. Therefore, any material that is already burning will
burn much faster and hotter in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
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Oxygen production
- Oxygen (O2) is unstable in our planet’s atmosphere and must be
constantly replenished by photosynthesis in green plants. Without
life, our atmosphere would contain almost no O2.
- Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere, while
respiration and decay remove it from the atmosphere.
- Elemental oxygen is produced by cyanobacteria, algae and plants
and is used in cellular respiration for all complex life
- According to some estimates, green algae and cyanobacteria in
marine environments provide about 70% of the free oxygen
produced on Earth and the rest is produced by terrestrial plants
- Green algae and cyanobacteria in marine environments provide
about 70% of the free oxygen produced on Earth through
photosynthesis and the rest is produced by the terrestrial plants.
- Cyanobacteria, which are organisms that “breathe” using
photosynthesis, take in carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, just like
modern plants.
- Concentrated oxygen will allow combustion to proceed rapidly and
energetically
- The World’s oceans carry dissolved oxygen that supports life. The
polar oceans, being coolest, hold more dissolved oxygen and
therefore sustain vast amounts of aquatic life.
- Molecular dioxygen, O2, is essential for cellular respiration in all
aerobic organisms.
- Oxygen is also present in many organic compounds:
carbohydrates, fats, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins.
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Medical
- Uptake of O2 from the air is the essential purpose of respiration,
so oxygen supplementation is used in medicine.
- Treatment not only increases oxygen levels in the patient's blood,
but also has the secondary effect of decreasing resistance to blood
flow in many types of diseased lungs, easing workload on the
heart.
- Oxygen therapy is used to treat emphysema, pneumonia, some
heart disorders (congestive heart failure), some disorders that
cause increased pulmonary artery pressure, COPD and any disease
that impairs the body's ability to take up and use gaseous oxygen.
- You might need oxygen therapy all of the time or just part of the
time. A doctor's prescription is required for supplemental oxygen.
- For people who do not get enough oxygen naturally, supplements
of oxygen can have several benefits. Oxygen therapy can:
 Improve sleep and mood
 Increase mental alertness and stamina
 Allow a person's body to carry out normal functions
 Prevent heart failure in people with severe lung
disease
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Toxicity
- Too little oxygen is problematic. So is too much. Oxygen toxicity
is too much oxygen for too long a period. Breathing 80 percent
oxygen for more than 12 hours irritates the respiratory tract and
can eventually cause deadly fluid build-up, or edema.
- Symptoms of toxicity are seen in the eyes, central nervous system,
muscular, respiratory.
 Eyes: visual field loss, near sightedness, Cataract
formation, bleeding, fibrosis.
 Central Nervous System: Seizures
 Muscular: twitching
 Respiratory: jerky breathing, irritation, coughing, pain,
SOB, acute respiratory distress system,
tracheobronchitis
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Safety
- There are important safety factors to keep in mind when using
oxygen. Oxygen is a safe gas and is non-flammable, however, it
supports combustion. Materials burn more readily in an oxygenenriched environment.
- Avoid open flames in the presence of oxygen use (e.g. matches,
cigarette lighters, candles, and burning tobacco). Insist that
people who wish to smoke step outside your home to protect your
lungs and your home.
- Oxygen canisters should be kept at least 5-10 feet away from gas
stoves, lighted fireplaces, woodstoves, candles or other sources of
open flames.
- Do not use electric razors while using oxygen. (These are a
possible source of sparks.)
- Do not use oil, grease, or petroleum-based products on the
equipment. Do not use it near you while you use oxygen. These
materials are highly flammable and will burn readily with the
presence of oxygen. Avoid petroleum-based lotions or creams,
like Vaseline, on your face or upper chest. Check the ingredients
of such products before purchase. If a skin moisturizer is needed,
consider using cocoa butter, aloe vera or other similar products.
For lubrication or rehydration of dry nasal passages, use waterbased products, such as K-Y Jelly. Your pharmacist or care
provider can suggest these.
- Post signs in every room where oxygen is in use. Make sure that
absolutely NO SMOKING occurs in the home or in the car when
oxygen is in use.
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- Secure an oxygen cylinder to a solidly fixed object to avoid
creating a missile out of the tank. This might happen if it was
accidentally knocked over and gas was allowed to escape.
- Use caution with oxygen tubing so you do not trip over it or
become entangled in furniture.
- Be familiar with the equipment and the safety checks established
by the medical equipment provider. Keep their contact telephone
numbers, and the numbers for other emergency services, posted
near a phone. Do not try to repair broken equipment on your
own. Request this service from the oxygen provider.
- Make sure smoke detectors in the home are working. Have fresh
batteries installed. Perform monthly checks. Have a fire
extinguisher available in the home as well. (Use type ABC.)
Create and practice an escape and rescue plan in the event of a
fire.
- Notify the local fire department, gas and electric companies and
telephone company when home oxygen therapy is started.
Request a "priority service listing.” This is for those times when
there is a power or telephone failure or repairs are needed on any
utility.
- Caution must also be used around other sources of heat, such as
electric or gas heaters and/or stoves—at least 6 feet is a
recommended distance between oxygen and other heat sources.
- It is important to store cylinders safely—cylinders should be
upright and secure, in an approved cart or device for storage.
- Remember when not in use, oxygen supply valves should be
turned off.
- Always follow the instructions of your oxygen supply company
regarding safe usage.
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- Never use a Portable Oxygen Concentrator when the apparatus
itself is in the trunk of your car.
- Start the car before turning on the unit or charging it
- Do not leave the device in an automobile but take the unit with
you
- If the unit has been in a cold environment, allow it to warm up
before use
- Game controllers should not be used with oxygen; the new
systems that vibrate and have other functions have caused issues
with patients on oxygen
- Never use more than 50 feet of oxygen tubing. This can dilute the
concentration of oxygen that the patient is receiving
- IF you must cook while using oxygen, make sure the tubing will
not touch the gas flame or electric burning
- Clean the oxygen system clean and dust free
- Stay 6 feet away from toys with electric motors, electric
baseboards or space heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, electric
blankets, hairdryers and electric toothbrushes
- Keep away from the stove top and oven
- Watch out for splattering grease, which can catch fire
- Cooking with microwave is ok
- Keep liquids that may catch fire away from oxygen. This includes
cleaning products that contain oil, grease, alcohol or other liquids
that are flammable or can burn.
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