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Toxicity of Oxygen Gas Exposure, O2 Poisoning Symptoms, Oxygen Gas Exposure Limits, and Links to Toxic Gas Testing Procedures
- Recommended limits for oxygen gas exposure or usage
- Symptoms & effects of exposure to unusually high levels of oxygen
- Recommendations for gas measurement instruments, gas detector tubes, Draeger & Gastec tubes & pumps for detection of gases
- Questions & Answers about Oxygen gas exposure limits and toxicity for humans
- References
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Effects of exposure to abnormal levels of oxygen gas:: This document discusses the toxicity and exposure limits for exposure to oxygen gas O2).
We give references and explanation regarding toxicity of oxygen, based on literature search and obtained from the U.S. government and expert sources. This text may assist readers in understanding these topics. However it should by no means be considered complete nor authoritative. Seek prompt advice from your doctor or health/safety experts if you have any reason to be concerned about exposure to toxic gases.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
O2 POISONING SYMPTOMS - Oxygen Gas poisoning symptoms
Recommendations for tools and methods for detecting gases in buildings or outdoors
The photo shows a Drager colorimetric gas detection tube (also called a "color detector tube") used to test levels of a very wide range of specific gases in air.
In an indoor air test (in our laboratory) this particular detector was not being used to measure oxygen, but
rather carbon dioxide. As the blue-stained portion of the tube shows, we found that the CO2 level was about 600ppm which is typical of indoor air and is an acceptable and safe level.
Colorimetric gas detection tubes such as those sold by Drager (or Draeger), Gastec, (two that we use predominantly) and by Kitagawa, and pumps
from Drager, Gastec, Komyo Rikagaku Kitagawa, and RAE all work on a similar principle: a measured volume of gas (or air) is drawn through a tube which
contains chemicals which change in color in response to the presence of a specific target gas (or range of gases) present in the sample.
By knowing the volume of gas or air sampled, the amount of color change read on a linear scale on the colorimetric gas detection tube
can be translated into a very accurate measurement of level of gas present, described in percentage of the total air or in parts per million (PPM).
Other specialized gas detection methods include use of solid state circuity, CMS chips, and special instruments which may be designed to give a quick
alarm or a reading in PPM for specific gases. Other gas and air monitoring equipment use pumps which collect and insert a specific volume
of air into a vacuum container for later analysis. We've found that for typical field use, the colorimetric gas detector tube method is extremely convenient and very accurate, and it presents
minimal requirements for instrument calibration. |
What happens if a human breathes too much oxygen rather than too little?
Since we've discussed displacement of and reduction of the level of oxygen by an increase in CO2 or by
dangerous carbon monoxide CO levels indoors in occupied buildings, (see links for these topics at Related Topics ) let's take a look at the toxicity of oxygen itself and at what happens if the mix of gases in air changes in the opposite direction, increasing rather than decreasing the level of oxygen above normal amounts. Where does this occur? Two examples of exposure of humans to unusually high levels of oxygen occur in "oxygen bars" and in hyperbaric medicine.
Technical note on oxygen toxicity: What about too much oxygen in air: While high levels, even 100% oxygen are used for medical purposes in some cases (hyperbaric oxygen patients breathe 100% O2 at
pressures above 2 to 2.4 ATM for 40-60 minutes),breathing high levels of oxygen can be toxic for humans and other animals. (Toxicity of excessive oxygen will depend on
the oxygen level, the duration of exposure (breathing it), and individual characteristics).
But breathing high O2 air too long can produce toxic free radicals, producing effects that can be observed clinically
in the human lungs or central nervous system. The current recommended limits of oxygen exposure are up to 24 hours with 100% O2, and up to 48 hours with 60% O2. OSHA does not have a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for oxygen.
What are the symptoms of exposure to elevated levels of oxygen?
The symptoms of excessive oxygen exposure include the following: (some or all of these might occur)
- Dizziness can occur on exposure to high oxygen levels
- Coughing and irritations of the throat can occur on exposure to high oxygen levels
- Difficulties with vision or visual anomalies can occur at very high O2concentrations
What are the medical effects or symptoms of prolonged exposure to 100% oxygen?
If a person (say a medical patient undergoing hyperbaric treatment at high levels of oxygen and at increased pressure) is breathes 100% oxygen for more than a day (24 hours) s/he may show the symptoms we listed just above, and also the following:
- General physical weakness or a sense of exhaustion or fatigue can occur at very high O2concentrations
- The patient may experience pain joint and muscle pain
- The high oxygen prolonged exposure individual may experience numbness and tingling in arms and legs (like when your leg "falls asleep")
- Heart palpitations may occur
- The individual may complain of a headache
- Some patients complain of nasal congestion or (perhaps similarly-caused ear clogging, congestion, and pain, perhaps caused by swelling of the mucous membranes
- On 24 hour exposure to 100% oxygen additional medical symptoms include the development of fever, nausea and vomiting, and a (corresponding) loss of appetite
- Experts also cite the obvious hazard of freezing-burns if someone comes in contact with liquid oxygen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Questions & answers or comments about Oxygen gas exposure limits and toxicity for humans.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Literature and source citations are provided in the body of this document
- OSHA provides these literature citations for this symptom list (which we paraphrased from OSHA documents):
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Oxygen.
Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Oxygen. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1771-1772.
www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_259105.html and www.vspn.org/vspnsearch/aow/oxygentoxicity.htm Oxygen toxicity
Oxygen Toxicity Compendium of Continuing Educational Practice, Veternarian 21[4]:341-351 Apr'99 Review Article 67 References, by Steven Mensack, VMD & Robert Murtaugh, DVM, MS, at the Department of Clinical Science, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine,
North Grafton, MA
"Room Air Appears To Do Less Brain Damage Than Pure Oxygen", Doctor's Guide, September 18, 1998, which we found at www.pslgroup.com/dg/B01A6.htm This article points out that while oxygen is an important component of treatment for certain medical emergencies (perhaps heart attack), after oxygen levels reached normal levels in the blood, continuing to administer pure oxygen actually was damaging the metabolic mechanism in the brain. [close paraphrasing]
- GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC Toxic Gas Exposure effects, including links
to toxic gas exposure screening and gas testing protocols.
- Gases: Toxic gases, indoor exposure levels, testing, identification
- A Toxic Gas Testing Plan: A Gas Sampling Plan for Residential and Commercial buildings lists some of the toxic indoor gases for which we test, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
- Gas Exposure Hazard Levels: for Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine, Arsenic, Bromine, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydride, Ozone - allowable exposure levels and hazard levels
- Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity hazard level, poisoning symptoms, & testing
- Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels, poisoning symptoms, & testing
- Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing).
Subsequent research virtually closed concern regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals.
- Ozone Warnings -
 Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
- Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common
contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant
gases in buildings.
We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies
in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro� bellows pump, the Gastec� cylinder pump
and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and
we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other
toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific
gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.
- Radon Gas U.S. EPA Radon level maps
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
- The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
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