Monitoring the Oxygen Levels in the Air With an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor

Oxygen is the number one requirement for existence. There will be no life without oxygen. Sadly, people ― consciously and unconsciously― neglect this importance and tend to take oxygen for granted. We think that we inhale enough oxygen when we breathe, but actually, we are not. And this happens most of the time.

If you observe the air that you’re breathing, especially in a city or in a busy area, you’ll notice that the air is dense and warm. This is because of the increasing occurrences of pollution and the persistent effects of climate change. Before, the oxygen level was high and abundant. But because of our anti-environment actions (and some are inevitable), we are now suffering from oxygen shortage, and subsequently, from various oxygen deficiency diseases. These diseases range from mild to malignant ones. Medical researchers say that cancer has only one major cause: the substitution of our body’s normal oxygen respiration by an anaerobic (oxygen-lacking) cell respiration.

In order to mitigate this, several technologies were developed. These devices measure the oxygen levels of our blood or of an area. Oxygen monitors, the ones that are used to monitor the blood oxygenation of a person, are attached to a specific translucent body part. It will monitor both the pulse rate and the level of oxygen saturation in the patient’s blood. Apparently, this device is used by a single person: an infant, perhaps; an athlete; a mountain-climber; or a person with cardiac or respiratory uneasiness. This product is portable and is good for one person.

On the other hand, oxygen levels are not entirely present in one’s blood. Oxygen is also, most especially, present in our surrounding environment. That’s why we are breathing it. For this reason, another type of oxygen monitor is being used: the oxygen deficiency monitor.

This ambient oxygen monitor determines the level of oxygen in a specified area. Sometimes, most likely in working areas like factories, labs and other industrial facilities, gases like argon, helium, nitrogen or carbon dioxide might displace the oxygen in the breathing air, causing suffocation before people even realize it. This type of oxygen monitor, also called oxygen sensor, oxygen analyzer or gas detector, determines that an ambient oxygen level below 19.5% is already hazardous. It will give off a warning, probably an alarm to some products, so that people will be aware.

Unlike the portable pulse oximeter, this technology is not susceptible to too much motion which could sometimes cause false alarms. Therefore, it lessens the tension created by repetitive warning alarms. Handheld oxygen monitors are not also appropriate for permanent monitoring installations because one might forget to turn it on when he enters the work place, or might not be able to monitor its battery level. Aside from this, constantly checking the oxygen level on the portable oxygen monitor could be very uneasy and difficult, especially when you are in the middle of your work. This device is also prone to theft since it is handheld, and someone with itchy hands could easily snatch it away from you.

When the oxygen analyzer gives off its warning alarm, it is suggested that you:

1. Leave the room at once.
2. Do not enter the area.
3. Get help from the expert and professional. Do not take action by yourself.
4. Observe if you have difficulty in breathing, or if you feel dizzy. Go to a doctor immediately.

When the “ambient oxygen deficiency” event finally ended, check the device if it indeed gave a reliable alarm. If it did not, immediately replace the oxygen deficiency monitor with a new one.